Round tables and squeaky chairs with hard backs. That’s how Maize High students know the commons to look and feel. Over the summer, principal Chris Botts tweeted a photo that would change the commons of Maize High for most returning students forever.

Now, instead of round tables with movable chairs, Maize has oblong tables that fold in the middle with chairs you cannot move. Some students didn’t feel that that was the best idea because you can only fit so many kids at one lunch table.

“It’s just more difficult,” said junior Clay Kelley. “I noticed that it was way harder to fit and eat without touching each other because I sit with a group of big guys.”

The old tables that used to fill the commons at Maize since 1997 and seemed to be well over due for a new upgrade.

“The tables were old and beginning to fall apart. There were safety devices on all the tables that began to fail, causing potential risk for injury,” said Botts. “In addition to that, countless hours were spent each day resetting the commons with the right numbers of chairs at each table and pushing them all in. Having tables with seats attached reduce the over all work load.”

On the first day of school, junior Maddie Olinger and her friends struggled to find a table they could all sit at and enjoy lunch together.

“I sat on the floor on the first day of lunch, across from the fountains in the corner by the trashcans,” said Maddie Olinger. “Not all of us [my friends] could sit at one table together, there was only a few tables with like 1 or 2 seats open.”

Even though some students are upset about the change, some feel thankful for it and are excited about the new upgrade. 

“I love the look of them and [how they] are aligned with our school colors.” said Botts.