Water bottles crush Catholic High
In Catholic High’s classrooms, teachers wage a silent war with students over something that most would consider harmless: the water bottle, the bane of teachers and the student’s best friend. Whether it’s a plastic bottle from the cafeteria, an aluminum bottle from home, or even a gallon jug from the store, students stay hydrated in many ways, much to the dismay of faculty.
Teachers hate water bottles because they are a distraction in class, harm the environment, and often need to be picked up after each class. On the other hand, students see water bottles as essential to academic and athletic success. Can water bottles exist at Catholic High in harmony with students and faculty?
Water bottles have not always been a common sight at Catholic High. The shift towards water bottles is relatively new. “It’s a COVID thing,” said physical science teacher Mr. Todd Ezzi. “For most of this school’s history, we’ve used water fountains. We do not necessarily want to take water bottles away from the students, but they aren’t necessary for students either.”
Teachers find water bottles a distraction in class. Plastic water bottles crumple, and metal water bottles get knocked down and make a loud noise. “When someone brings out their water bottle in the middle of class, it can make me lose my train of thought while I’m lecturing,” said Mr. Ezzi. English teacher Mrs. Lisa Conyer agrees. “When students keep plastic water bottles in their pockets, they crinkle all the time,” said Conyer.
Mrs. Conyer also dislikes the environmental harm of plastic water bottles. “Arkansas has some of the best water in the country. We have beautiful, wonderful, fresh water from our faucets,” said Mrs. Conyer. “All of these boys go into classrooms and dump their water bottles. We claim to care about the environment, yet we continually purchase items that ultimately harm it. It seems wasteful.”
According to several teachers, students also tend to forget their plastic water bottles, which leaves a mess for teachers to clean up. Economics teacher Mr. Dave Massery feels this effort daily. “I usually pick up seven water bottles a day,” said Mr. Massery. “It’s a pain.” English teacher Mr. Josh Parkey had to create rules around water bottles, only to move the problem elsewhere. “I outlawed water bottles in my class primarily because I was tired of picking them up. But then I had to pick up the water bottles students left in the hall outside my classroom,” said Mr. Parkey.
So why do students carry water bottles when the contagion restrictions and concerns of COVID are long gone? Students believe having water bottles helps with athletic and academic performance. Plus, they’re convenient.
For sophomore soccer player JC Garcia, carrying water is necessary for achieving high-performance levels. “Without water, I can’t play soccer that well. My muscles cramp up, and I get tired way quicker,” said Garcia. “It helps me stay hydrated and perform to the best of my ability.”
Water also plays a role in academic performance for students. “Drinking water keeps me awake,” said freshman Jorge Bravo. “Sometimes, I find it hard to stay awake, so drinking water helps me stay attentive during class,” said Bravo.
Water is essential for a high-achieving student athlete senior Aidan Bordador. “As someone who takes creatine, I must keep myself hydrated all day, whether at school or home. Having a water bottle around is very convenient as I can drink whenever, rather than going to the water fountain every time,” said Bordador.
Despite their distaste for water bottles in the classroom, teachers do see the importance of hydration. “As a cross-country coach, no doubt, drinking water throughout the day positively affects performance. We’re running miles and miles in the heat, and you must be prepared,” said Mr. Parkey.
Even Mrs. Conyer loves the ease of her reusable water bottle. “I don’t go to the water fountain every time. I just have a simple cup,” said Mrs. Conyer.
Ultimately, teachers do see the benefits of being able to drink water throughout the day, but they believe students should take more responsibility. “If students could figure out how to pick up after themselves and when it’s appropriate to drink them, it wouldn’t be an issue,” said Mr. Ezzi.
So whether you’re an Ozarka-in-the-pocket, old-gallon-of-milk, or a thirty-dollar-insulated-Yeti guy, be mindful of how you’re staying hydrated and where your water vessel lies—and maybe then, the water wars will end.
Charlie Cline
