February 6, 2019
By Alexa Christ
Amidst the many changes at Lexington High School, including later start times, longer classes and more regulated student parking, I have a productive suggestion: sell coffee at LHS.
It is scientifically proven that teenagers are biologically inclined to stay up late and sleep in. School disrupts this. As the new start time won’t take effect for another two years, the remedy for many students is coffee. LHS students can be found walking in packs, each holding their own cup: Dunkin or Starbucks, paper-ensconced hot coffee or plastic-protected iced. Some of us even have double layered plastic styrofoam cups, all to preserve our precious drinks.
Having coffee available at the school itself will help kickstart the day for students and faculty. Our school is filled with a bunch of overworked and exhausted teenagers running on only a few hours of sleep. Now wave some coffee in front of our faces and alertness would increase tenfold. Plus revenue would come pouring in! That’s some real school spirit!
Let’s be honest: Kids come into class late and we all know it’s not because of car problems. It’s because of the coffee in their hands. If coffee was sold at the high school, the number of tardies would decrease. It’s a win-win for the students and the administration.
Once during my sophomore year, a senior came into class late with coffee for the teacher and munchkins for the class. The teacher wasn't even mad, and how could he be? That senior was a hero; many of us were happy simply because we would be able to eat breakfast.
Other high schools have already started on the trend.Timber Creek High School in Fort Worth, Texas boasts a student-led coffee shop on school grounds. The students were involved with its planning and the menu. It was met with positive reviews.
The coffee shop at LHS could be student-run, just like the school store. It would teach valuable business skills to students and could contribute to community service hours. The shop could sell breakfast foods which might also increase the likelihood that students eat a meal in the morning.
College campuses have also picked up on the coffee campaign; many college campuses sell branded coffee, like Starbucks, on campus for sleepy students. No LHS student would object to a Dunkin’ Donuts just down the hall.
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