MIDVALE, UT- After a poll was taken asking 100 high school students where they go the most for lunch, it was determined that McDonald’s is the most preferred lunch spot at
Hillcrest High School.
Why do people go to McDonald’s? It’s the closest to the school, so even if students can’t drive, they can still walk, get their food, and make it to class. Junior Sadie Benns states, “People go to McDonald’s because it’s close to the school and it’s cheap.” An average meal costs $4-7, which makes it very affordable for many high school students.
McDonald’s was found to be the most preferred lunch spot by students, mainly due to time constraints. According to the poll, the main issue affecting students at lunchtime is the amount of time they have. At Hillcrest, the lunch period is 30 minutes, which causes various issues among students. One of the main factors is being late to their next class. Senior Ruthy Williams stated, “I think
we should have 45 minutes, that’s what Brighton has. I went there last year and people were more on time to their next class.”
Part of the poll was asking students what limits their ability to leave during lunch. Many students replied with a similar answer of the issue being time. The walking
distance from Hillcrest to McDonald’s according to Google maps is 11 minutes each way. About 22 minutes of walking time total, plus waiting in line and receiving your food. “I am a senior with a license and a car, so I can drive, but when I was a freshman and sophomore, I would walk and it took longer,” said Senior Kennedy Pew.
Another issue that was found was the places close to the school being more crowded than the ones farther away. Even though McDonalds was found to be the most popular, it was found to
be the most crowded as well. In order to be on time to the next class, the students who cannot drive tend to go to the closer restaurants, causing them to be more crowded. “Almost every time I leave for lunch I get back late.” Stated Williams.
Another student, Junior Tristyn Oler also mentioned that she had trouble returning to class on time. She stated that she usually stays at the school for lunch, but when she does go out she goes
to Maverik. “I think that it is definitely rushed when I leave, I can barely come back on time.”