Lunchtime, the most anticipated part of the day, second only to the final bell. Lunchtime provides a seat to eat, and talk with friends.

However, this 35 min. break is tainted if one just plops down at any old table. Since Aug. 22, cliques stake out their territory.

Society in general is ‘cliquey’. People are more comfortable with those who look and act like them. Adults are similar: coaches eat with coaches, math teachers with math teachers, and so on. It’s no wonder, then, that students follow that example.

"People sit with their cliques because they feel more accepted there. I sit with these people at lunch because I’m friends with them, and we have a lot in common," said John Vaughn (11).

Though most claim that they sit with their friends, a glance around shows a different story; Students sit with whom they are safe.

Another glance shows freshmen crowded together at tables for protection, while chess players command the doors by Gym 3. School ‘dissenters’ claim the floor looking bored while ‘jocks’ gather round to get pumped for the next game. ‘Partiers’ recover from last weekend and ‘super smarties’ race to finish tonight’s homework.

"I think in any social setting, you go with people you feel most comfortable with. The cliques you see throughout the building are the same ones you’ll see at lunch. A lot of where you sit is routine," said Tim Lombardo, sociology teacher.

People look for acceptance in the lunch room. Locations of cliques may change from day to day, but the same group of people can be seen together.

"I’m sitting on the floor because there was only three people at our table, so we felt like losers, so we moved to a bigger group," said Cathryn Daugherty (9) regarding lunch Feb. 27.

While friends are what makes eating (the now healthy lunch food) bearable, some contend that cliques are too harsh and intimidating.

"Cliques are a futile attempt to create order and acceptance in a seemingly giant and confusing world," said Corinne Char (11).

Still others choose to sit outside to enjoy their lunch, rather than eat inside the climate-controlled school.

"It’s peaceful out here. In the cafeteria, it’s really loud and noisy," said Madeline Moss (9).

Scheduling may also have something to do with who students sit with. The system of having three separate lunches makes it difficult for some to spend time with their friends.

"I think it’s whoever you have your fifth hour class with and who you’re friends with in there," said Christie Voelker (9).

Friends, schedules, and interests all play into where people sit at lunch. In an effort to escape the branding of a stereotype many students just simply take comfort in friends with a common interest.