Lunch Protest Pays Off
October 30, 2009 by BBO
Filed under News & Student Life
by William Talbert, Staff Writer
Photograph by Jeffrey Nguyen, Visual Arts Editor
Upset at not being able to purchase Bell Game tickets, Fountain Valley High School students rushed to the bowl on Thursday to voice their disappointment. And to eat lunch.
Word spread like wildfire over Facebook and text messages as Fountain Valley students quickly organized what they hoped would be a massive lunch time protest.
“My friend Bethany texted me during biology,” reported senior Kevin T. “My teacher caught me, but it was worth it.”
The tools of their protest took many forms. Sophomore student Michael B. participated by going hungry during lunch.
“I accidentally grabbed my little sister’s lunch this morning,” Michael said. “I’m supposed to get the Extra Cheesy Lunchable. There’s no way I’m eating the ham and cheddar.”
“My mom was so mad I couldn’t get tickets to the bell game that she forgot to pack my lunch, so I had to borrow money to buy a bag of Gardetto’s,” said freshman Andrew M. “The little sesame seed sticks are my favorite.”
Armed with backpacks, textbooks and lunch sacks students remained mostly peaceful during their show of civil disobedience.
“I usually eat in the shade across from the choir room, but I’m pretty peeved and I want everyone to know it, so I’m happy to sit in the sun.”
One student, Junior Kimberly L., sat thumbing through flashcards. “I wanna support the students who didn’t get tickets, but I have a Spanish test fifth period and I really need a good grade.”
Student organizers, who wanted to remain anonymous, seemed pleased with the turn out and hinted at additional sit-ins.
“Hey, Obama started as a community organizer. Who knows what this could led to for me. I could use another couple events to pad my college app.”
When a change of venue was announced at the Newport Harbor game, students were elated.
“See what happens when students join together to show their outrage,” said senior Cami R. “I was late to the protest because I was buying Taco Bell for my cousin. I’ll be there next year. Wait, no I won’t.”
