With students adjusted to their new schedules, the first bell isn’t the only thing waking students up. In Tornado Alley, our school’s Golden Roast coffee shop is up and running, ready to serve tasty drinks and snacks. 

 With limited hours of 7:05-9:30 a.m., the coffee shop never has a moment to spare. Always filled with students who were running late and couldn’t stop at Dunkin on the way, or who needed a brain break to gather their thoughts. However, coffee isn’t the only treat the Golden Roast has to offer. “My favorite order is the Endless Summer and a small bag of chips,” sophomore Hadley Turso said.  

Endless Summer, a fan favorite, is a popular limited time drink that is only available within the first couple months of school. It’s a refreshing ice-cold lemonade with strawberry and watermelon syrup topped with strawberry pieces. Aside from drinks, the Golden Roast also offers a variety of snacks from sweet and sour Skittles to savory salt and pepper potato chips. 

The coffee shop started five years ago when former principal Mr. Thomas wanted to put his commercial Jura coffee machine that had been lying around since the pandemic to use. Stephanie Smith, one of the founders, has been with the coffee shop since the very beginning. “It started very small and has grown into what it is now,” Smith said. From the first coffee machine and only a few volunteers, the coffee shop has grown so much, becoming the biggest fundraiser for the PTSA.  

The coffee shop isn’t only known for its delicious snacks and drinks, but also the comfortable environment it sets for students and faculty. It’s always a fun way to start off your day, with a relaxing yet fun place to get your mind ready for class.