Did you ever wish you could go back in time? The ‘90s at PHS were the best of times, according to our parents anyway. They had off campus lunch hour to eat at the various local fast-food chains and spend quality time with their friends. Currently PHS campus is closed. However, there is a place just steps away that students visit before and after school and 9th graders from Aylen and Kalles Junior Highs patron while waiting for PHS to dismiss before they head to their sports practices. Thr3e Coffee House has become a staple for the Puyallup High School students and athletes. Thr3e Coffee House is an informal church run café with weekday hours Monday-Friday 7am-5pm. PHS is a closed campus for lunch, but students leave anyway despite the mandate. Occurrences of student’s leaving could be reduced by Thr3e coffee house being considered an on-campus location, which is a safe place for students to eat and congregate during lunch instead of driving off campus. Students need a place where they feel they belong and, according to Thr3e’s website, their intent is to create belonging everywhere. They state: Belonging is at the heart of everything we do. We strive to create spaces where all people feel safe, valued, and celebrated for who they are. Through genuine connection, inclusive practices, and intentional hospitality, we extend a sense of home—inside our walls and out into the community we serve. Our community needs to be brought closer together and Thr3e is a place that can provide that. No announcements of negative behaviors such as fighting or vandalism at the coffee house by PHS students before or after school have been reported via parent square to families as has been the case with other incidents at PHS. There is a sense of mutual respect between the owners and students. As stated on their website the coffee shop employs many PHS students. They state that they champion leaders of all ages. Their website says, We believe leadership has no age limit. From young dreamers to seasoned mentors, we create opportunities for growth, voice, and impact. By encouraging curiosity, confidence, and collaboration, we empower individuals to lead in their own way—whether behind the counter, in the community, or beyond. Everyone has something to offer. Some in the community would say that this is opening a can of worms so to speak. If we make Thr3e an on-campus establishment then what is to keep food trucks from opening across one of the many streets surrounding the high school. For food trucks to operate on public streets in Puyallup they would need to meet key requirements and restrictions. Per the city of Puyallup website food trucks require two key items: a mobile food vendor license and they cannot operate within 300 feet of a restaurant or 400 feet of a school without permission. Therefore, they would not be able to be across the street from PHS like Thr3e coffee house. I hope that my fellow students will make their voice heard to school and district administrators. Thr3e coffee house should be considered an on-campus establishment for students. Let’s all continue to build our amazing Viking community.