The Senior Cafe is a token of accomplishment in the eyes of many students. The privilege of eating lunch in the senior cafe is a big deal–or at least it used to be. As underclassmen, many of the current seniors looked with great anticipation toward senior year and longed for the privileges they would receive. Unfortunately, COVID-19 put a damper on these expectations. The senior class has been separated during lunchtime between the Senior Cafe and Performing Arts Center lobby, and they are unable to spend typical quality time together. The responses to this shift, although necessary, are overwhelmingly negative from members of the senior class.

According to a recent Scituation survey, some members of the graduating class feel the Senior Cafe doesn’t reflect the exciting and amusing atmosphere they once observed as underclassmen. The largely negative responses from this survey gathering seniors’ opinions on the situation make it evident the Senior Cafe needs to be renovated. When asked if seniors use the cafe, many said “no.” Why is this the case?

An overwhelming number of seniors claim there aren’t enough seats; consequently, they opt to eat in the PAC lobby instead. Students said the space “gets full very quickly,” and there aren’t enough chairs and tables for everyone. Many seniors also mentioned the Senior Cafe has become largely male-dominated, making it seem a bit unwelcoming for others, which may stem simply from the lack of seating in the space.

Many students commented on the lively vibe of the old senior cafe, remembering the ping pong tables, booths, music, lights, and countdown wall. Now, there are a few metal tables, small couches, an unassembled ping pong table, and the walls are completely empty. In order to make the Senior Cafe more enjoyable, seniors would like to see more decorations–such as LED lights and tapestries–anything to make the space feel more welcoming and comfortable. One student suggested adding a coffee-making station, while another mentioned the idea of an air hockey table. A number of students, however, said that simply bringing back booth seating and ping pong tables would improve the space.

The Senior Cafe is a well-deserved space for seniors, but currently, it is not meeting expectations. Seniors should be encouraged to decorate the space to make it feel inclusive and enjoyable for everyone. It is important for seniors to speak up and work as a team to make this space better for everyone before their time at SHS is up!