Carman Williams
cwilliams@weatherforddemocrat.com
Energy drinks are advertised, publicized and sold by the thousands based on the fact they give consumers a much-needed buzz. But the drinks caused a different kind of buzz last week in Arlington — a buzz of complaints from Arlington ISD students who worried they might not be able to get their caffeine fix at school.
According to CBS 11, the Arlington ISD school board discussed banning energy drinks from school property. The proposal still has to be voted on before it can become a part of the student code of conduct, but with Arlington heading in that direction, is Weatherford ISD next?
Hugh Nowlin, director of child nutrition for Weatherford ISD, said Weatherford ISD has never endorsed energy drinks in the schools.
“We haven’t even had Gatorade in the schools for years [because of] the high sugar content,” Nowlin said. “We don’t sell energy drinks. In fact, I don’t think there’s a vending machine in the district that sells them.”
But Nowlin said the district will probably not go so far as to ban students from bringing their own energy drinks on campus.
“I don’t think that’s been an issue, so there really hasn’t been any discussion [of banning drinks],” Nowlin said. “It would be so difficult to ban them. The students could just walk to the parking lot and drink them in their cars if they needed to.”
The high sugar and caffeine content in drinks such as Monster, Rockstar and Full Throttle have been linked to symptoms such as chills, tremors, diarrhea and chest pains, according to an article in the Fort Worth Star Telegram.
But that doesn’t stop teens from drinking the controversial products.
Ray Hardin, a student at Weatherford High School, says he relies on energy drinks almost daily.
“I drink Rockstars mostly, but today I got a Monster,” Hardin said. “They taste good and get you hyped up. They help me stay awake since they removed sodas from school.”
For students like Hardin, Weatherford ISD’s tolerance of energy drinks is good news. In other districts, students may have to do without that energy drink buzz.
Local News
May 21, 2008
Energy drinks causing buzz in schools
- Local News
-
-
Sheriff, judge at odds over mailer
Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler sent out a statement and automatic phone calls across the county Wednesday saying he did not endorse incumbent 43rd District Judge candidate Trey Loftin, following a mailer sent by the judge’s campaign that included a quote from Fowler.
However, Loftin said Thursday Fowler made the referenced statement to a room full of people at a fundraiser for Loftin and agreed to let Loftin’s campaign quote the sheriff. - Film director looking for local actors
-
Book Smart
- Pastors: bring prayer back
- Weatherford council approves rezoning requests
- City won’t accept recall petitions
-
Gymnasts display all-around talent
- Honoring their own
- WISD band director to retire
-
Escapee kills self after pursuit
- More Local News Headlines
-
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
