School is already a few months into the year, and people have started to sink into their usual routines, getting used to their classes and hanging out with friends in their free time. There is one normality that is changing that comes as a surprise to people – lunch.  I, James Watson, have set a goal for myself: to sit and socialize with every table in the lunchroom.

The reasons for this challenge are that it is great way to meet new people and it is a message, showing that cliques aren’t as powerful as people think. The challenge began, and, out of the 33 lunch tables, there was only one I wasn’t able to sit at.  Each table was offered a choice. They could kick me out, ignore me, or include me.  The decision was up to the table and if they wanted to accept me, we would have a fun lunch period meeting new people. Every time I sat with a new table, I was always greeted with the same response: a blank stare from everyone at the table. They would usually go back to their conversation and I would just sit there until the golden question popped up, “What are you doing here?” I think the best part was seeing them try to say that without sounding rude. If they wanted me to leave and not sit with them, I would respect their wishes and try another group. The one table I did not sit at was one that became fully packed within thirty seconds, and they said “You will be flattened if you sit here so you need to move,” and I greatly thank them for saving my life. Crushed by Lunch table, such a tragic way to go. There was only one other table ignored me, but I accepted that. It can be pretty weird for a kid that you rarely talk with to come and sit with you; but the rest greeted me with complete acceptance.

The Great Lunchroom Challenge started as something for me to kill some time, but it evolved into much more. It became a way for people to become more open with others and make new friends. I challenge anyone who reads this to go and sit with new tables every now and then and, by doing this, it’s possible to make new friends along the way; so grab a lunch tray and take a seat. Never know if you like it or not if you don’t try.