Many people use different foods or drinks that help them get through the day. For some it may be protein drinks, granola bars, Diet Coke, or a healthy breakfast. All of these things seem normal, right? But there is one item that stands out amongst most people, in Vernon Hills. The idea that many people today feel the need to drink coffee has completely gone off the charts. It is no longer just a morning cup of coffee; the average American drinks at least one cup of coffee a day and this increases with age. The coffee craze has gone from a nice way to start the day to almost as normal as drinking water.

Walk into any classroom first period, and you will definitely see at least one student with a cup of coffee on his or her desk. Seniors with lunch release can easily go outand get that second cup of the day. Later on you may see people holding a Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, or even something they made at home. Coffee is everywhere.

“ It’s nice to have so many coffee shops in the area, so I can always grab a coffee before school,” Molly Wasserberg (12) said.

People also spend tons of money when going out for coffee. They think it is just one cup, but if that one three dollar cup becomes a twice a day trip, the money can add up.. For example a tall cup of coffee at Starbucks costs $2.95. If you drank one cup every day for a month it would cost you $88.50. That’s just an estimate without all of the extra cups. With Dunkin Donuts so close by imagine ordering a large iced coffee a day for the entire semester. It would cost you $762.85. That’s insane!  The coffee addiction is a rather expensive one

Once a month when we have First Class Fridays, our school is often kind enough to give out cups of coffee. This gives kids who don’t have enough time at home to get coffee to kick start their day. But why coffee? What about coffee is so appealing to kids?

I remember as a little kid I use to watch my mom drink about 3 cups of coffee a day. I always thought coffee was a mom drink. Little did I know that coffee would have such an impact on my life and all of the people around me.

“I began drinking coffee as young as I remember. I’m so use to it that I’ve started to drink it black,” Kelly Davis (12) said.

I cringe at the thought of drinking black coffee, but I know many people who, just like Davis, have been drinking coffee for so long they are immune to it. Coffee has become part of them.

I wouldn’t consider myself an avid coffee drinker, but I enjoy having a nice cup every once in a while. The idea of drinking coffee has turned into a huge social gathering or study session. When there is a big test coming up, many students gather together at Starbucks, Hansa, or any other coffee shop they can find. When going to these types of places as a kid many people get hot chocolate or tea, but with the recent trends many people have switched to coffee.

Discovering new coffee shops with your friends is definitely an adventure, especially if you all enjoy a nice cup of real coffee. Many people spend their Sundays or days off of school trying to discover new coffee shops with their friends, and just enjoying each other’s company. This has all centered around the idea of coffee. Coffee has become a huge part of interpersonal communication between friends, colleagues, and family.

“My friends and I love discovering new coffee places, and I highly recommend trying Pete’s Coffee,” Shannon Skeoch (12) said.

If you enjoy a good cup of coffee, you may want to take Skeoch’s advice. Coffee has become a huge part of society over the years, and as more and more people begin drinking coffee at a younger age the more and more people will develop a coffee addiction.

The addiction isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but for some people it can become habitual. It is no longer just for the enjoyment, but the true need to have a cup of coffee. Some people begin to crave the caffeine that comes with it and couldn’t bare going without it. This is when it becomes an issue. Caffeine is a drug, and can truly damage your body if you drink it too excessively. So next time you enjoy a nice vanilla latte, think about the effects it has. It isn’t always the way to go, especially if you can feel yourself catching a true addiction, but it is a part of our culture and always will be.