Ever a little hungry during class? Don’t you worry. Around the campus of Ayala High School, there are many vending machines that dispense a variety of snacks and drinks. Many students flock to some of these machines to get their favorite food in exchange for money.

Furthermore, the student store opens during lunch, which also sells a more variety of snacks and drinks, and sweets like ice cream and fruit roll ups. But it’s mostly the big bulky machines that gather the most attention with it being available at any time of the school day.

With all these machines around, there is some stir of opinions on whether or not vending machines should stay the same, or change any features about it.

The Machine Appearance

These machines are quite noticeable by their giant design. Giant machine with colorful snacks displayed in the front. There is however, a giant encasing around the machines itself to most likely protect from damage.

The big bulky machines themselves are fine, but the features on it are what makes it arguably annoying. The option to pay is what makes students not happy, as most of the time, the machines would only take a digital payment, leaving cash payments behind. Some students, having the inability to pay, would go to others for some help.

“I don’t know why they don’t have cash [options],” said Noah Arnold (11). “I always have people asking me, ‘Hey, will you buy me one?’ I’ll give you the cash, [yet] I never use cash, but it just feels like a quick way.”

Machines, also being placed around the school, some are debating whether or not the location of where it is at also stirs a problem. Although some may not see the machines fairly placed around, as some quads are closer to the vending machines than others, many find it okay where it is.

“I feel like they’re too spread out and when one doesn’t work, then it’s hard to get to the other and it just wastes time,” said Marcos Vargas Tamez (11).

Food inside the Machines

Everyone is only there for one thing, and it is to get food. The snacks and drinks have a variety to choose from. With its variety, most of these snacks options have not changed in the last couple years. There is some debate about wanting to add more snacks to the machines, or change the current options there are. Some snacks are thought of as “not worth it” or “not enough food.”

“I think some snacks [and] their bags are just really small compared to others,” said Arnold. “Whenever I buy a bag of Doritos at a grocery store, I would say it’s at least 20% more chips; at least it feels like 20% less air compared to school.”

Of course there are different snacks being offered at the student store during lunch (as mentioned earlier), but many people also have the demand for different snack options.

“I really want there to be Takis and Goldfish in the vending machines,” said Iris Liao (11).

Should they be removed?

The idea of being removed from the campus was mostly very disagreed upon mentioning. Sure some do go around the campus wandering off to get a snack, but every student does get a little hungry during long class time. In fact, many students would be worried if the machines would be removed.

“I would worry because I care about those machines,” said Tamez. “I love getting snacks every day and although it’s taking a lot of money [from] me, I like eating.”

Controversial or not, some students wouldn’t mind if the vending machines were all of a sudden taken away. Some students choose to bring their own snacks to school instead of opting for whatever the big machines have on display.

“I wouldn’t be worried because I can just bring my own food, but I think having vending machines is a plus.” said Liao.

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These convenient metal machines filled with delicious snacks and candy are likely here to stay. No matter what, people do need to eat for survival, and having them around would be a great addition on any occasion.