Loyola High School holds its students to high academic and ethical standards. Students are expected to lead by example through trust, responsibility, and good decision-making. If students are trusted to uphold these values in academics and service, why aren’t they also trusted with something as simple as off-campus lunch?
One of the main parts of a school day is the 45-minute lunch break. Students can be seen eating at Zlicious Eatz, which offers a variety of food, but healthy and affordable choices are scarce. Daily, there are tons of students walking around campus, enjoying a bag of candy, demonstrating less of an availability for nutritious options offered at Zlicious Eatz.
Not only does allowing students to leave campus during lunch give them the freedom to enjoy healthier and more affordable food, but it also strengthens their connection to the surrounding community. Loyola High School instills a strong sense of commitment to community service in its students. This value is reflected in activities such as the Freshman Community Walk and the Senior Service Project, which both encourage students to engage with and support their surroundings.
Beyond service projects, Loyola is established in Pico-Union, a diverse community with many restaurants and cafes within walking distance of Loyola. When asked about whether students should be allowed to leave for lunch, Professor Daniel Covarrubias sees the potential benefits: “I think it would be nice for students to have the freedom to leave campus during lunch. Many students do sports after school and need proper nutrition before they practice.” He also believes in the importance for students to have the chance to experience the community built around Loyola. However, that comes with a sense of trust and responsibility.
Similarly, Loyola athlete and Zlicious consumer Jesse Roybal ‘27 acknowledges the problem as he stated, “Zlicious Eatz is fine once in a while, but students shouldn’t have to choose between unhealthy food and expensive prices. As a tennis player, I need to be able to eat well. An opportunity such as leaving campus during lunch would allow for students to save money and eat better.”
Although a huge fan of Zlicious Eatz, Jesse Roybal aims to steer away from the unhealthy and expensive options provided. While Zlicious Eatz offers a variety of food options, some students feel that healthier and more affordable choices could be available. Both Covarrubius and Roybal agree that a change is needed.
Students being able to leave campus during lunch would not only provide them with an enriching experience, but it would also lead to students eating better. Trust, responsibility, and good decision-making are the attributes of a Loyola Cub. It’s time to apply them to something as simple as lunch and allow students the freedom to make healthier and more affordable choices.