As long as homework, quizzes and tests have existed, so have study groups to help students keep up. However, many CHS students realize while these groups are necessary, their choices of places to study are limited.

Some students, such as senior Shaan Patel, study at the Coppell public library to avoid distractions.

“I usually go to the library and get one of their meeting rooms,” Patel said. “Starbucks is too noisy for me. I don’t like the social atmosphere and talking about things other than what I’m studying. [The library] has a much more school-like, quiet atmosphere.”

He’s not alone. After polling 50 CHS students, 48 percent were found to choose studying at the local public library over a store.

Junior Arden Radford finds the busy places distracting.

“I’d rather go to the library and rent a study room than go to Starbucks or Cherry On Top,” she said. “Sometimes I go [to Starbucks or Cherry On Top] after I do my work, as a reward. That way I don’t get distracted by the noise and the food while I study.”

The William T. Cozby Public Library is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Even with frozen yogurt places recently opening in Coppell, according to the poll few people found the frozen yogurt stores conducive to studying. No one polled said that they would go to either Tappy’s or Cherry On Top to study.

“My friends and I had a 178 question review for [AP U.S. History] for our semester final and we went to both Starbucks and Tappy’s,” Burns said. “I felt like I could concentrate better and get a lot more done at Starbucks, even though they were both fun places. Starbucks just had a better atmosphere with less people coming in and out. I guess I’m just used to the good drinks and comfy chairs and big tables with space to work at.”

Frozen yogurt stores rarely play host to studiers, according to Tappy’s Yogurt employee Colin Shaffer.

“Three-thirty [p.m.] is the rush for us,” Shaffer said. “People usually come when school gets out and it’s usually young kids. There are teenagers here, but it’s usually not for studying, but just hanging out.”

Proximity is important to most students who do not want to drive out of their way to study. Cram-sessions can last late into the night and inexperienced drivers can be uncomfortable driving long distances in the dark.

“I like Tappy’s, but Starbucks is closer and I would rather study there,” junior Connor Wilkinson said. “When it’s crowded at Starbucks and impossible to get work done with so much noise, I go to Tappy’s.”

Across the board, students at CHS seem to favor studying at Starbucks and the public library over Tappy’s and Cherry On Top. Atmosphere is the culprit. While the yogurt places cater to fun and relaxation, students seem to think they are not suitable for the most intense studiers.

Senior Susan Wentworth chooses from a variety of toppings to put on her frozen yogurt. Photo by Henna Khan.

by Divya Kumar
News Editor

The widespread appeal of frozen yogurt can be seen by the openings of multiple stores selling the dessert in local areas. Tappy’s Yogurt in Lewisville, Yogurt Zone in Valley Ranch and the recently-opened Cherry on Top in Coppell are among some of the new locations where frozen yogurt is to be sold. In addition to these, the CHS cafeteria has also added a frozen yogurt machine to the menu available during lunch time.

Perhaps one of the main appeals of this dessert is the aspect of it being a ‘healthier’ alternative to ice cream. Though, it can be argued that the two desserts share a similar taste, there are many reasons why students are shifting from an interest in ice cream to frozen yogurt.

“Ice cream has been around forever, and comes in the typical flavors of strawberry, chocolate and vanilla,” junior Farah Mithani said. “But with frozen yogurt, a variety of different flavors are offered, like blueberry, with a bunch of random toppings, like cheesecake bites and Captain Crunch.”

An interest in frozen yogurt has appeared to have generated sometime within the last few years. In more commonly-known yogurt shops, such as Orange Cup, the healthier fruit flavors were the only options available. However, upon the opening of Yogurtland in Carrollton, which featured healthy, fruit flavors along with other more eccentric ones, interest in frozen yogurt seemed to suddenly boom.

Senior Sarah Omar, a recent employee of Tappy’s Yogurt, claims her choice to apply to the store was fueled by her love of the dessert.

“I applied [at Tappy’s] because I love frozen yogurt,” Omar said. “But also because it’s close by, fun and because they have a peanut butter flavor.”

According to Omar, since its opening, many people in the area have visited Tappy’s, demonstrating a community aspect. The recent opening of Cherry on Top in Coppell, located off of Denton Tap in the Sprouts complex, has also been able to draw a great community buzz as well.

“Not only is Cherry on Top close to home, but it also sells yogurt at a good price and hosts a good environment,” recent employee and junior Sarah Hillier said. “I’ve seen tons of Coppell kids there, especially after school, and I anticipate it doing well since it’s one of the few places nearby that serves yogurt which everyone seems to love.”

Both places, along with most other yogurt places offering the different flavors and variety of toppings, can be seen filled with teenagers and people of all ages enjoying the dessert.

“I eat frozen yogurt all the time, at least once every two weeks,” Mithani said. “But I do know that while it is healthier than ice cream, it’s not as healthy as real yogurt. I’m not sure a lot of people that go to buy it know that.”

Regardless of whether it is a more healthy choice or not, frozen yogurt still appears to be a well loved dessert among Coppell students. The nearby opening of several places selling the dessert will likely help heighten the popularity of this fad.

Customers load up their cups with a variety of toppings and an assortment of yogurt at Coppell's new frozen yogurt store, Cherry on Top. Photo By Henna Khan

Caramel, vanilla, peach tart yogurt galore…so many flavors to choose from, what is one to do?  With its chic and trendy décor and wallet friendly prices, Cherry On Top has made its way from California all the way down to suburban Coppell.

Located not far from Coppell High School at 110 West Sandy Lake Road near iFratelli, Jan. 13 was the first day of business for Cherry On Top, and there is no other word to describe it besides a success. From its 11 a.m. opening to the time the machines were shut down at 11 p.m., of Coppell residents continuously entered the frozen yogurt shop with mouth-watering anticipation.

“Coppell really needed a place like this,” manager Yooni Chung said. “This is a town where everyone knows one another, it’s unique, and best of all, considering we close so late, we know it is safe.”

The Cherry On Top franchise began in Brea, Calif. in Orange County. The founder started with only three locations, and ever since it started blooming all over Southern California.  

Chung said that the founder’s sister, a student at UCLA at the time, suggested a unique name which did not have the word “yogurt” in it. As a result, Cherry On Top was selected. After that, everything practically fell into place including the fuchsia and red color scheme, two of the founders’ sister’s favorite colors

While the craze for frozen yogurt originally began on the west coast, several locations such as Yogurtland and Orange Cup opened in the Dallas area last year. Suddenly, frozen yogurt is becoming a “must have” in the Dallas Metroplex just as much as it is in Los Angeles. Not only is it a place for youngsters to converse, but it also gives families a place to go to treat themselves to a great snack and a nice outing. Best of all, anyone and everyone can afford $0.39 per ounce for a delicacy which is surprisingly a non-fat treat based on its taste.

“My kids love ice cream, and if it was up to them we would be here every day,” Coppell resident Michelle Helterbran said. “It is going to be a great addition to the town. I was so happy to see the non-fat choices for us moms as well as the large variety in toppings. The price is what amazed me the most though, because it would have cost me twice as much elsewhere.”

Cherry On Top undoubtedly hit the ground running, with it being the only frozen yogurt location in all of Coppell.  Not only did this hot pink and white hangout create a spot for residents, but it gave Coppell High School and New Tech High students a place to work for some extra pocket money.

Opening up a yogurt joint near a high school when the only other places to hang out are either Taco Bell or Sonic should attract students.                                                                                                                               

“I got to try it before anyone else did and it was an awesome experience since frozen yogurt was a new thing to me,” New Tech High sophomore and Cherry On Top employee Madison Roese said. “If people start finding out what it is, then I am sure they will start showing up frequently.”

Now Yogurtland, Orange Cup and Freshberry will not be the only places bringing in customers because Cherry On Top has just stepped up the competition. Cherry On Top does have plans to add two additional Dallas area locations in the near future.