**All media below is the opinion of an individual student and therefore does not represent or speak to the values of Vestavia Hills High School and Vestavia Hills City Schools**
Walking through the school parking lot, one might recognize the neon-green Monster Energy logo on Mrs. Varner's Jeep. However, when asked why she sports the distinctive symbol, her reasoning had nothing to do with the drink itself. Her response: "I love the neon green color." In fact, Varner stands against selling energy drinks in the school cafeteria, explaining that "I don't think there is enough scientific evidence to determine all of the negative effects of caffeine."
So, which consequences of caffeine have our students experienced? Senior Savannah Gann recalls the first time she drank a Monster before class. "I drank one once before school, and I was actually shaking in my first class because I wasn't used to that energy drink–I never drank them–and it was kind of scary." Junior Gabi Ramirez recounts similar symptoms of shakiness. "When I would buy one every morning, I would drink the whole can by second period, so by the end of the day I would be so shaky, and I realized that this wasn't good. Over the summer I contemplated, and I realized that I needed change." Additionally, Senior Catey Rose Callahan observes that the selling of caffeine, "encourages kids to stay up later and not get their work done in a quick sense of time. I don't think it's ethical."
Given that our school only sells sugar-free drinks, it is odd that they permit other products with such tangible repercussions. One student points out that "in health class, which is a required course, they talk about the effects of energy drinks. They talk about how horrible they are for you, and they're going and one: up-pricing them and two: selling them to all the kids here that work really hard and need more energy." A busy schedule was a common theme when students were questioned on why they drink energy drinks. "Sometimes I'm really tired because I come here, and then I go to work, and then I stay up late doing homework, so I feel like I need [caffeine] to make it through the day," answers senior Rebecca Adams. Moreover, Adams finds it weird that the school profits off her dependency but states, "I'm not against it because I will continue to buy them."
Adams is far from the only one trapped in this complex relationship with the school. Many students admit to being dependent on caffeine. When asked about the ethicality of the school selling energy drinks, Senior Rollins Waltchack responded with mixed feelings. "I like it, but at the same time I know that they are not healthy, so it's like the school is enabling bad habits. It's like, thank you for selling them, but also why are you selling them in the first place." Science teacher Mr. Waguespack explains that while caffeinated beverages are "probably not the most healthy choice," they keep students from falling asleep in class. "Caffeine is a stimulant, so it would help improve focus. But the amount of caffeine is probably the issue–the dose makes the poison." However, the amount of energy drinks students can buy is unregulated. One student reveals that she used to buy two drinks a day from the cafeteria, and another recalls observing kids buying five or six drinks at once.
But is our school ultimately culpable for this generation's energy drink dependency? No. It is unreasonable to assume that Vestavia partakes in malicious schemes to exploit caffeine addiction. Senior Luke Pappalardo notes that "profit in general is a system that is just going to exist regardless." Additionally, kids have a surplus of sources from which they can get their caffeine fix. If the school stopped selling these drinks, they would miss out on potential earnings, and students could go to the local gas station or Starbucks as a substitute.
Nevertheless, the school remains responsible for the student body's health. Vestavia does a great job combating nicotine addiction with our zero-tolerance vaping policy. However, we turn a blind eye to those buying well over the recommended caffeine limit for teenagers. With improved restrictions on caffeine consumption, Vestavia could be one step closer to settling this energy crisis.
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