Wakefield High School is in a prime location for student culture due to all of the local establishments. Hanging out after school with friends is a great community builder and de-stresser. While many places are student-friendly, not all students can drive to them. Luckily, there are some key locations nearby that are less than two miles away.

The first suggested location is by far our most popular:  Sheetz. Students from any grade find themself buying food and drinks and hanging out in the convenient seats. In fact, they even have hot made-to-order food. A common feedback Sheetz gets is the high prices. 

Junior Gadiel Ortiz is a frequent visitor of Sheetz and often prefers Sheetz above the other establishments in the area due to the convenient walking distance between the store and Wakefield High. Sheetz is less than a mile away, which averages out to a 19-minute walk.

“I prefer Sheetz because they are a lot closer and offer the same services other [restaurants] do,” Oritz said. “If you want a snack, burger or drink, Sheetz has it.”

McDonald’s is another notable establishment nearby, however, it is less popular than Sheetz. There is a smaller wait time for food, but the walk is a little farther and they have less options to consume. McDonald’s tends to have less of a wait time than Sheetz, as it does not get as much of an after-school crowd.

Normally, lunch is the most popular time to go to McDonald’s, but many students also go after school. Some people prefer the speed and effectiveness of our local McDonald’s. One of Wakefield’s seniors, Andrea Soloff, finds the ease of McDonald’s very helpful for her work schedule. Soloff gave some helpful insight as to why they personally choose McDonald’s.

“I come here because it’s quick and on my way to work,” Soloff said. “[McDonalds is also] cheaper than Sheetz.”

One of the newer establishments, Mr Dong Yaxi Bubble Tea, has been quick to draw the attention of students due to its relatively short distance from the school. They specialize in all sorts of drinks, from fruit tea to coffee and even smoothies. Generally, this place has a great reputation, gaining a perfect five stars on Google reviews.

Some students may be overwhelmed by the vast choices. A tea shop regular, Danika Clayton, gives first-time visitors helpful insight on ordering.

“Get what you think you’ll like the first time, and then next time, explore [the different options] if you want,” Clayton said.

The last noteworthy establishment on this list is Dunkin Donuts. While Dunkin may have less of a selection in comparison to some of our other options, it is much less busy. No line, no hassle, speedy service and plenty of seating for a large group. One of the key selling points of our local Dunkin is the lack of people, making it a calming space.

Many people seek good study or working locations, and their local Starbucks is a little too far to walk to. Ashlee Nguyen is an individual who actively enjoys the environment the Dunkin provides. Nguyen mentioned the ease of the quiet space, and noted how versatile Dunkin is.

“I would rather go there with friends because I like going to places in general [to hang out],” Nguyen said. “[But] it is also really good for being alone, you can do some work there because there is not a lot of commotion.”