Students lament loss of fast food
By LORA ANDREWS
Student Correspondent
In today's teenage world, big news travels at the speed of the Internet. Really big news, such as the closing of Hillsboro McDonald's, travels even faster.
The shock was so big, in fact, that by the morning after the closing, an online discussion group was up and running on Facebook.
Facebook is a popular online community for high school and college-age students. It gives kids the chance to connect with peers over the web.
"R.I.P. McDonald's of Hillsboro" is a Facebook group created by Josiah D'Albini, son of former McDonald's owner Dan D'Albini. There are more than 120 members, mostly Hillsboro youth. Josiah, former Hillsboro resident, is now living with his mother in Ottawa. He is a junior at Ottawa High School.
As the adult community copes with the economic loss of McDonald's being shut down, the social impact on teen-agers at Hillsboro High School cannot be overlooked.
They say the food will definitely be missed. Snack Wraps, parfaits, and the breakfast were favorites among many teenagers.
McDonald's was undeniably cheaper as well. For young people on a tight budget, it is difficult to have to say goodbye to the dollar menu.
McDonald's speedy service also was a big draw for adolescents.
Students at HHS are allotted 32 minutes to leave the campus to eat during an open lunch time. The students who leave either go home or drive to one of the local fast food restaurants.
McDonald's, being the fastest at lunch time, was visited frequently. Now, kids can't eat fast food at lunch, because no other restaurant is fast enough.
"It's almost impossible to go any
Continued from Page 1
where else over lunch," said senior Chris Muzyka. "There's just not enough time. I tried going somewhere else once, and I was late back to school."
Some students are afraid of what the effect of the closing will be on our town.
"First they take the stoplight and now McDonald's. Our town is dying," senior Chelsey Harmon said with a laugh.
The kids have high hopes for a replacement, though.
The big discussions have been about what should move in. Taco Bell and Wendy's seem to top the list, but as for now, Hillsboro teens will just have to watch and wait.
