At North Atlanta High School, caffeine is not just a beverage—it’s the fuel that fires the student body. From cans of Celsius to iced lattes big enough to power a small car, students arrive buzzing with energy before the first bell even rings. Forget about breakfast; caffeine is now the most crucial meal of the day.
To most students, caffeine is not a drink—it’s a lifeline. With 7 a.m. wake-up calls, four classes, and three hours of homework, they’ve exchanged REM cycles for Red Bull. When asked why they use so much caffeine, Walker Wilson didn’t hesitate. “Caffeine is beautiful, it’s the best invention ever,” Willson said.
It doesn’t stop at one beverage. Students proudly admit their caffeine lineup sounds more like a suggestion list than a one day endeavor. Junior Sophia Irvine embraces the caffeine flowing through her veins to keep her moving and grooving throughout the day. “I get a Dunkin coffee in the morning, followed by a celsius, and a Starbucks chai before practice.” She said, “To be real, it’s still not enough.”
Teachers have started noticing the jitter levels and constant cup accumulation on the desk. The days where gum was the biggest classroom diversion is gone—now it’s the occasional shaky leg and non-stopping teen. Mr. McPhail can definitely scope out his caffeine dependent students, as they tend to always have a drink ready to go. At the end of the day, a car will eventually stop chugging and so will your morning caffeine. “I feel like most students drinking a morning beverage tend to crash by the third or fourth period.” Said Mr. McPhail.
Still, the side effects are… noticeable. Students may be awake, but some are vibrating more than participating. Hands shake while taking notes, and caffeine crashes hit harder than a pop quiz. Freshman Rhodes has had his fair share of crashes, though it’s a regret he continues to implement. “Have I regretted it? Yeah, sometimes I’m shaking in my boots in class.” He said.
What if caffeine was banned tomorrow, how would students react? Senior Eve Heller notes it would be one word “choas”. Students agree that no rule or principle could come between them and their iced coffee addiction. I would hide it in a cup—nothing is stopping me.” Heller said.
Love it or hate it, caffeine has become the school’s unofficial sponsor. Whether it’s an iced latte, a Celsius, or an Alani tucked discreetly inside a Stanley cup, caffeine is the most consistent part of the North Atlanta experience. Forget school spirit—this school runs on iced coffee and pure chaos. The only real question left is: when will the caffeine wear off? (Spoiler: never.)
