Written by Students

Article by Maria Merlo, Eastern Michigan University.

By Brooke Mondor, Brookhaven College

I’m the youngest of three siblings.

While lots of people (usually older siblings) go on and on about how youngest child life is all rainbows and sunshine, I must admit that that is not the case. It’s tough being the youngest! You’re always compared to the others and perpetually in their shadows, whether good or bad.

Hot Cheetos and the Phases of Life

“As we continue down the highway of life, fingers crusted with red Cheeto dust, it is important to keep in mind where we came from.”

By: Mikala Everett, Texas State University

If you’re anything like me, and you most likely aren’t because I’m inimitable—you love Hot Cheetos.

I’ve gone through several stages of life/school up until this point, much to my chagrin.

With each growth, whether it be spiritual, mental or physical there was a corresponding flavor of Hot Cheetos that aided me on my journey.

Regular Cheetos

Ah, early childhood, the days before elementary school, Lisa Frank stickers and giving people cooties. These were arguably the best years of my life and I remember almost none of it. But that’s all right because if you can remember what you were doing, did you even have fun?

In my early days my access to Cheetos was limited. My mother was concerned about my development for whatever reason, and I only ate healthy foods such as peas and carrots. Despite her best efforts, I vaguely remember a cousin slipping me a Cheeto or two.

Now, the under-the-table Cheetos weren’t the hot ones, and for that I’m thankful. Who knows what would have happened to my poor 3-year-old body if people started feeding me Hot Cheetos all willy-nilly.

With those first Cheetos a torrid love affair began. A love affair that will last the rest of my life—hopefully.

Baked Cheetos

At this point in life, my mother and the prison I attended for public education still heavily regulated my diet. Good ol’ mommy dearest didn’t believe in junk food, so I had to suffer a bit at home. However, when I got to school all hell broke loose.

Up until 5th grade, school lunch was the best thing to ever happen to me. These were the days before our government decided to stick it’s nose in people’s business and monitor what America’s children were eating. Psh, health.

Sadly, our slushie machines and ice cream sandwiches were replaced with granola bars and cardboard chicken tenders. I’m still not over the hurt and despair that took over my ten-year-old self when I witnessed these changes. As they say, betrayal is a dish best served lukewarm.

The upside to the treachery leveled at us by the government was the Baked Hot Cheetos the school began serving. In an effort to make the snacks we did consume more healthy, they replaced the regular Hot Cheetos with those of the baked variety.

These Baked Hot Cheetos had a level of heat and tang unlike the regular variety that produced a layered effect upon consumption. I would buy two to three bags—sometimes four if I was feeling wild—and two cartons of milk and go to town.

My elementary days set the stage for the awkward, prepubescent phase in which I abandoned all that I loved in the name of fitting in. Life, right?

XXTRA Hot Cheetos

Middle school was a tough time for me, as it is for many young folks. Ariana, my middle school nemesis, was the exception. That girl had her life together, and was rocking C cups and acrylic nails before it was cool.

Ariana was the source of many middle school woes before I skipped town in 8th grade. It was her friendship that I deeply craved, and she exploited the hell out of that as any sane person would.

In trying to become friends with her, I basically wrote a smut novella in the 6th grade. The “book” was passed around class until one fateful day. Brianna, Ariana’s sidekick, got caught with the book and I secured myself a two-day suspension and a week’s worth of ISS.

When I returned to class I was completely alienated. At home I began consuming the XXTRA Hot Cheetos because I didn’t care about life or my ability to taste.

What is middle school without friends that you won’t talk to once you get to high school? Nothing.

My escapade followed me to 7th grade, but by this point the scandal had fizzled out some. I regained friends and made new ones because people realized that I was amazing. Thus began the feasting on Limon Hot Cheetos.

I was content with my life.

Then we moved.

8th grade began at a new school with fresh friends and a different story to tell. In an effort to make friends easily, I began eating Takis.

I was cheating on Hot Cheetos with chips that meant nothing to me. I didn’t really like Takis but I did what needed to be done in order to survive.

I soon abandoned them once my hair started falling out, which was unrelated to the Takis. I returned to Hot Cheetos as a source of comfort and familiarity.

Hot Cheetos

My high school years were pretty easy but don’t get me wrong—I hated high school. I was the epitome of the know-it-all, snarky, negative, yet very lovable teen.

I was a star athlete, an AP student and got along with everyone. Although I embarrassed myself here and there, it was never a huge deal and people chalked it up to Mikala being Mikala—whatever that means.

Obviously, the classic hot Cheetos were the way to go. Classy and still able to keep it interesting, the regular Hot Cheetos flavor matched me to a tee.

Then I graduated.

TBD Cheetos

Since I’ve only been at school for almost two years, there is no telling what kind of transformations will occur.

College is a time for experimentation, so that’s what I’ve been doing. One week I’m eating nothing but Flamin’ Hot Funyuns and the next Hot Fries. It all depends on how I’m feeling and who pissed me off that week.

Despite the very specific bits, I’m sure that there are plenty of young college folks who went through similar trials and tribulations as I. There is no telling where my—or your—Hot Cheetos journey will lead in the future.

As we continue down the highway of life, fingers crusted with red Cheeto dust, it is important to keep in mind where we came from. I won’t forget the Cheetos I ate in my younger days, and neither should you.

By: Juliana Neves, Loyola University

As with any relationship, Cuba and America have a complicated history.

And putting it kindly, that history has had its tense moments. Recently though, President Obama became the first sitting President to visit the country in 90 years, a massive step of reconciliation in restoring the countries’ diplomatic relationship.