Love Over Hate

During a February meeting, the Board of Education of Anne Arundel County recognized “Dr. Love.” The student behind the pseudonym is Owen Cress, a Severna Park High School senior and the February awardee of the board’s Student Equity in Action Spotlight.

“Dr. Love” was born on Valentine’s Day when Cress was a freshman. Unbeknownst to him, his plot to get a kick out of his friends by calling himself a “love doctor” would eventually lead him on a path of new interest and rising fame.

He took a pair of his sister’s heart glasses and told his friends that he was Dr. Love. His friends then created Valentine’s cards with his phone number on them. Cress, or Dr. Love, found that through this activity, he had a real passion for helping people and for goofy comedy.

Though he may not be a licensed doctor, he sure has the work ethic of one. Cress constantly posts and promotes kindness.

“To Dr. Love, everyone’s heart is valuable,” Cress said. “There is an air of lightheartedness and kindness that lets people talk as friends. This is what makes people excited to participate in charity events and to work with Dr. Love — the spirit of love, not of romance, but of love that’s patient and kind, that doesn’t envy or boast, that rejoices in the truth.”

The charity projects that he led came to fruition after he envisioned a crowd wearing heart glasses and helping the community by sharing love. With the help of Severna Park High School Leadership Institute teacher Heather Barnstead, Cress researched local charities and fell in love with House of Ruth, a nonprofit organization that supports women, children and families impacted by domestic violence. He sold heart glasses and stickers that read “love over hate.” His efforts raised over $400 for House of Ruth in the first year and over $600 for Sarah’s House in the second year.

Dr. Love plans to organize more events and promises that all money earned will go to charity.