Scavenging for Shade at Lunch: The Lack of Shade on Redwood’s Campus

Students give their perspectives on the lack of shade outside during lunch, voicing their opinion on the idea of more shade.

By: Milo Rachal

The summers have only grown hotter throughout the years, especially in the valley where clouds rarely cover us. On average, at lunchtime, it has reached 95 degrees outside. Even when it has not been so hot, the sky has been clear, letting the sun hit us directly.

When bringing up the idea of more shade outside, students who stay on campus for lunch come to a clear conclusion.

Madison Aldaco, ’28, said, “I think it would be really beneficial, because most of the time we’re scrambling to try and find the shade, and it’s really hard because of how crowded the tables are.”

Tables near the Cafeteria on Main Campus
Photo: Visalia Times-Delta

Students rush to lunch, mostly trying to get shade before someone else takes it. They want to sit down and eat their food while staying cool. Not just to be cool, but to also be in a better mood.

Kai Ornpaeng, ’28, says, “I feel like it would be better so people would be less irritated to go to their next class.”

Beckham Anderson, ’28, shares this sentiment, saying, “I feel like it would be good because when I come back from lunch I’m all sweaty.”

When students come back to class cool, less irritated, and full, they believe their productivity will increase. Being able to come back and focus on class rather than their smell and sweat.

Some students do stay in classes at lunch. Either because the teacher lets them, or there’s a club. Either way, they are staying cool. However, they agree with the other students on having more shade outside.

Sarah Buckley, ’25, a student who stays in a classroom at lunch, said, “If there was more shade, I think that’d be really good. I’d probably sit outside then.”