What was the first thing students noticed when walking into school on the first day? For some it wasn't the faces of the new students - instead, it was the new faces of the pop machines.
This year, the high school decided to switch from Coke to Pepsi products. The reason for this, according to Activities Director Gene Boyle, is that each year Coke and Pepsi bid on providing the pop for the high school. Last year, Coke outbid Pepsi, but this year, Pepsi gave the lower bid.
"In my opinion," said sophomore Robert Saylor, "the switch was the best thing this school has done since you could kiss in the halls."
Along with Pepsi came Pepsi products such as Mountain Dew, Mello Yellow and Dr. Slice. And out went Coke products, including the ever-popular Dr. Pepper.
"Dr. Pepper is better for everyone," said senior Tracy Isakson.
Sophomore Jacy Olson, however, favored Pepsi products. "Mello Yello all the way!" he declared.
The average income to the school from Coke products was about $25,000. Those profits help support the newspaper, the yearbook (for senior color), and other FHS activities and projects, including new trophy cases in the foyer and new trash cans for the parking lots.
"Basically, the pop supply's the student council's entire working budget É as well as (providing) things like the new trophy cases," said Boyle.
This year, the cost for Pepsi products for the week of Sept. 2 to Sept. 8 was $485.30 for 88 cases of pop. For the Labor Day week of 1995, the cost to the school for Coke products was $904.90 for 167 cases of pop.
In a random poll of the student body, 55 percent preferred Pepsi to Coke. Students were split between 7-Up and Sprite, but 55 percent of the students said they would rather drink Dr. Pepper than Mountain Dew.
On the other hand, the switch to Pepsi is a change that some students have yet to notice.
Said junior Anna Brady: "They switched?"