Christopher Shea

With the arrival of the new school year, one addition to the cafeteria is the new sandwich line in the cafeteria, located next to the main lunch line. Stocked with croissant rolls, wheat rolls, and hoagies rolls as well as tomato, pepper, and whole grain wraps, the new sandwich line is a culinary force to be reckoned with. Assorted meats include turkey salami, turkey ham, turkey breast, roast beef, chicken breast, tuna salad, and chicken salad, along with cheeses like American, Swiss, Cheddar, Pepper Jack, and Monterey Jack. For those who desire vegetarian options, there are vegetables like tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, bell peppers, and onions.

Reception has been positive, with sophomores Sammy Yousef and Colton Walberg saying, “The new lunch foods are great!” A single sandwich costs only $2.40, and is a lot of food for the money.

Along with the sandwich line, new ice creams are also available. The brand of ice cream has switched hands since last year, with The Hershey Company now providing UHS with frozen treats like ice cream cones, strawberry pops, ice cream sandwiches, banana-cream pops, fudgesicles, and chocolate and strawberry shortcake bars.

Ice cream enthusiast Robert Wilson said, “[The new flavors are] pretty schnazzy. Vanilla is good, since sometimes simplicity is the best.”

Other new additions to the cafeteria’s arsenal include sparkling juice drinks, new types of cookies, plums, watermelon, and a whole new array of entrees, including buffalo chicken nuggets, biscuits, popcorn chicken, pulled pork sandwiches, and Texas toast with garlic butter.

Sophomore Joy Xu called the new lunches “an improvement over last year,” and when asked her favorite new option, Xu said that “I like the new fruit options,” listing plums and watermelon slices as her top 2 favorites. These new additions, including the sandwich line, were made possible due to an initiative by FCPS to introduce new healthy options to students. These offerings are available to only a select few high schools, and will move on to more schools if the concept proves to be successful.

The sandwiches are popular amongst school staff, with Principal Jay Berno asking, “Why would anyone order fast food when you can get a delicious sandwich at the Hawk’s Nest?” Current school awareness of the sandwich line is minimal, with only an average 2 out of 10 students knowing that it is even there.

Sophomore sandwich fan Bobby Wilson said, “The sandwich line does not get the appreciation it deserves. It needs love and care! Buy more sandwiches!”