In high school, coffee is more than simply a beverage; it’s an important aspect of chaotic high school culture. From hurried sips between classes to late-night study sessions fueled by caffeine, coffee can bring both energy and camaraderie to the hectic world of high school. It can be a companion that helps students navigate early mornings, long days, and the challenges of balancing academics and social life.
At RV, there is a balanced mix of coffee and non coffee drinkers. For some of the students and staff, even RV’s principal, coffee has its value.
“I drink coffee daily, three to four cups a day. Two at home and two here,” said Principal Joe Martin. “I drink columbian roast, freshly ground if possible, but who has the time. I add half and half or even skim milk to it. No sugar though, I’ve weeded myself away from it.”
Colombian coffee was a common type of coffee that people drank at RV. Twenty five percent of interviewed coffee drinkers drink it.
“I am Colombian and the coffee from my country is what I drink. I love drinking it because it is stronger than regular coffee,” said junior Amy Lopez.
Spanish teacher Señora Valeska Ochoa also said she drinks columbian coffee. However she has an interesting recipe for her coffee.
“I mix coffee, mostly Colombian, with hazelnut to make my coffee drink,” she said. “I don’t need coffee but when I’m craving it, that’s what I drink.”
Another Columbian coffee drinker is Mrs. Sara Redfield from the math department. She drinks “about a pot of coffee [throughout the] day.” She makes sure it’s not too much caffeine by doing half decaf though.
“I used to be a tea drinker, but then I did the keto diet back in 2019, and coffee was only permitted and it gave me energy during my intermediate fasts, so I started drinking it,” Mrs. Redfield said. “Then, Covid hit, and ever since, I’ve been stuck drinking it.”
The need for energy is one of the main reasons students and teachers chug coffee. In some cases, energy drinks replace the need for coffee. Some students said they occasionally have coffee because energy drinks were their daily source of energy.
“Now that it’s fall, I love drinking Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Iced Latte,” said junior Marren Reinhard. “Other times I would drink Caramel flavored coffee. I drink coffee twice a week, [and] I usually drink Celcius in the morning for caffeine.”
An interesting aspect of coffee and coffee houses is that many drinks are seasonal. Now that it is the fall season many students are drinking pumpkin spice coffees, especially pumpkin spice lattes. Sixty five percent of the students who drink coffee said that pumpkin spice flavored coffees are their favorite and they are enjoying that they are in season right now.
While it may be pumpkin spice season, a coffee from the next season was also a common favorite of a couple students interviewed.
“I love the Starbucks sugar cookie almond milk latte,” said junior Lily Mount, echoing the sentiments of many other students. They are all excited as the drink is coming out again in November.
Many of the students and teachers said they like their coffee drinks from not just home but instead opt to splurge on coffee from Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts. The ratio of Starbucks lovers to Dunkin lovers was actually fifty fifty. Many students shared their exact orders from each coffee shop.
“From Starbucks, I’m getting a Grande iced white mocha with sweet cream and caramel drizzle,” said senior Alana Chen. “From Dunkin, I’m getting a Caramel Coffee with cream and sugar.”
English Teacher Mrs. Emily Coffey also has her special order from Dunkin.
“Large cold brew coffee, five pumps of caramel swirl, and two pumps of cream,” she stated.
Technology teacher Mr. Wade Uetz is also at Dunkin on a daily basis. He can also specify when he’s there.
“I’m there at 5:37 am weekdays and 9:37 am during the weekend. My order’s a large coffee with cream and sugar,” he said.
Coffee is as personal to many as decorating a bedroom or picking out an outfit. Some like it just black while some like it with creamers or milks; some like it with sugar, while some don’t. The majority of teachers (seventy percent) said they liked their coffee black, while thirty percent preferred it with creamers and milk. Only seven percent of the students liked their coffee black, and most have a real sweet tooth when it comes to coffee drinks.
“I like iced coffee or lattes, hot coffee gives me a headache, said junior Isabella Kensler. “I also prefer lattes because my coffee needs to be creamy.”
While there were many that said they liked or loved coffee, there were also more than a few who didn’t like coffee or drink it. Surprisingly the ratio was around exactly half and half. Eighty percent of the people who stated they didn’t drink coffee said they don’t like coffee because it tastes bad.
There were also answers related to concerns about the other health effects that coffee can have on the body.
“I don’t drink coffee because it stains your teeth,” said junior Brody Deiter.
A couple students said they don’t drink coffee because they don’t want to get addicted to drinking it.
“Coffee is just like Heroin,” said junior Joey D’Amato. “Once you get on it you can’t stop.”
“I personally don’t feel like I need the energy in the morning,” said senior Bruce Archer. “I hate the aftertaste and bad breath [it causes].”
Despite the potential negative health effects, students and staff at RV overwhelmingly enjoy a hot (or iced) cup of joe in the morning.
“You don’t want to know what I’m like in the morning without coffee,” said Holly Spirit advisor and English teacher Mrs. Sarah Sherman, sipping from her “Book lover’s” mug. “I’m not human without it.”
