More than just a glance at the TVs in the cafeteria

Lunch is a time to eat, chat with friends, and take a break.

Last year, the school updated the old-school box TVs that hung in the cafeteria to their modern flat screen equivalent. Since then, they have consistently played ESPN on a daily basis during lunch periods.

According to Aurora High Principal Paul Milcetich, TVs have always been in the cafeteria, though they were updated last year. Laptops can be connected to them if a meeting is held there, but “they are just there for entertainment, and something for the students to view if they feel like it.”

While the TVs may be there for student use, the station they are connected to never changes. When asked why the same station is always on, Milcetich says, “There is really no reason they are on ESPN, and I am definitely open to student suggestions.”

After sending out a survey to all students, 104 responses were received over the course of two days. Only 30.8% of students who responded said they paid attention to the TVs during lunch periods.

Students could then select what they wanted to see during lunch periods. Options were “Keep them off”, “ESPN”, “School News/Announcements”, or students could write in something of their choice.

17.3% of students voted to keep the TVs off, and both ESPN and School News/Announcements received 34.6% of the vote. Of the remaining 13.5%, several students voted to play Disney Channel, several voted to play TV shows, several voted to watch the news, and several simply didn’t care.

According to Milcitech, news really isn’t an option to play, due to many stations being politically biased.

One student brought up a strong point, saying, “If people were watching TV, the least they could do is to put on captions for people.” Unfortunately, when the TVs were purchased it was discovered the captions don’t work.

At a recent meeting of the AHS Student Senate, several alternatives to ESPN were suggested. Food Network, National Geographic, and comedic TV shows were all listed as potential options.

Many students talk with their friends, go on their phones, and don’t have an opinion about what the TVs play. However, they are a resource that could be put to good use one way or another. They could be a great way to keep students updated with school news and events, play things a majority of students want to watch, or save electricity by being turned off.

No matter how the TVs are used, they are something students will have to see every time they eat lunch. Until something changes, it looks like the highlights of ESPN will be on for students’ enjoyment.