For as long as anyone can remember, FHS has had three vending machines on campus between the library and the cafeteria. Recently, the machines have been locked when classes are in session in an effort to deter students from leaving classes for the sole purpose of getting food, meaning students are unable to buy anything from them during these times. Since these new regulations have been implemented, there have been numerous instances where hungry students looking for a snack are turned away with the message “Machine operations will continue at [given time].”

“I think [the students have] adapted to change but they were kind of forced to,” FHS social science teacher Moris Clark said. 

Although a nuisance for some, Clark believes there is some benefit to the closures.

“In my opinion, it does create a sort of standard for everybody,” Clark said. “It removes the need for me as a teacher to be the disciplinarian.”

Clark added that when a student asks to go to the vending machine, he feels less guilt in refusing their request because it is already a known fact that they are closed. Instead, he has a stash of snacks in his classroom to give hungry students. Providing food to students is one aspect of this situation that he can remedy, and has encouraged other teachers to do the same. 

After a year of implementing these regulations, students have adjusted to the change and can infer why it was made. 

“It’s annoying, but it’s understandable because you don’t want kids sneaking out of class just to get some food,” FHS junior Gabriel Vallejo said. 

While this is the general consensus that the school has come to, the students and staff were never explicitly informed of reason for this change. 

“I would guess the reason is they don’t want a lot of students going out at one time to get food,” Clark said. “However, I never had an issue with students leaving and they’re not coming back, but that might just be me.” 

Although the school has adapted to the change, students nonetheless are hungry during class and are left with nowhere to turn. 

“I think it’s stupid,” FHS senior Jasmine Lucas said. “They’re making us go hungry.”