School needs to rethink drinks policy

To The Eagle:

It's silly to think that at the age of 17 years old, I can't go purchase a beverage at my school without it getting taken away from me or getting punished for it. Believe me, I'd rather spend my dollar somewhere that would take it, but I have to be at school to do my studies. I have more reasons that they should allow me to buy a beverage than reasons they have not to.

It's no secret that sleep deprivation is a major problem in the USA, especially with teens in high school. And I know for myself, I have such a big life outside the classroom that it is hard to get eight to nine hours of sleep at night. But one thing that helps me get through the day is a caffeinated beverage. And when I need to wake up and focus, I can't go to my vending machine down the hallway and buy a Mountain Dew. I have to either ditch out and go to the Chevron, or wait until I can get one, which obviously affects my studies. Another thing, why would the school not want our money? Schools are a business and are driven by money so why they won't take the students money for a pop during class is ridiculous to me. I've been yelled at, chased down and gotten my drinks taken away from me for trying to purchase during class time. If they are willing to leave their current duty and chase me down the hallway because I bought a Pepsi, who is the child now?

Teachers themselves have no problem with beverages in classrooms. I have come to class with energy drinks and many other beverages and the teachers are fine with it all. Even food! So if teachers are fine with me drinking a beverage in their classroom, why is it such a big deal to the man in the office who has much bigger things to worry about than my pop purchase during class? Some also say it's for our health concern. Well, it's my health, not theirs. And they should support student performance before student health. That's also the reason why we are required to take PE or weight training. And Gatorade seems to be more accepted in these situations but a thing I learned in freshman health is that, if not active, Gatorade is just as harmful as pop to your health and being.

If the school wants to help their students and make more money, then I strongly suggest they rethink their logic and policy. We are young adults moving into the real world. We should be able to make some decisions for ourselves, especially something small like buying a pop during class.

Kendall Johns

Cathlamet