​Senior Cafe

By Elijah Delgado
 
Imagine yourself in your senior year in the cafeteria talking to your friends about your college plans when a milk carton barely misses you as it flies by. That is what being a senior in a high school lunchroom is like. 
 
Lunchtime should be a place where you can chill, be distressed from your classes, and hang out with your friends. Seniors shouldn't feel like they have to take care of children at lunch. 
 
A cafe can be a perfect place for seniors. According to Mrs. Blocker, the principal of East High School, the seniors have demonstrated that they are capable of being responsible. When I questioned who would be in charge, she responded, "I would prefer for the seniors to be in charge."
 
Creating this place for the seniors also has some obstacles that we would have to overcome. Allocating space would be a problem, according to Mrs. Blocker. We can get around this by using the smaller cafeteria, which was formerly the senior lunchroom but was recently converted into a lunchroom for all students. 
 
Seniors were not using the area because they could go out for lunch, therefore the seniors did not feel the need to use this space. Seniors can also utilize this space to study, have a cup of coffee and some refreshments, and take a break during their excused periods.
 
According to Mrs. Blocker, the Senior Cafe will have rules such as seniors only, music and movies are allowed, and no underclassmen are allowed. Mrs. Blocker wants the seniors to be very free and to be their own best advocates.
 
Seniors may benefit from this as they get ready for adult life. They may learn skills like teamwork, cooperation, and liability by managing a café. Having this area might help seniors feel more at ease and dependable.