Over the past year, several factors such as the pandemic, supply-chain shortages and others, have caused the inflation rate to rise to 7 percent, which is more than double the rate in April 2021 according to Trading Economics. Inflation is defined as a persistent, substantial rise in prices. 

Some students such as sophomore Will Stueven hope for the inflation to go down.

“Hopefully, inflation will go down,” Stueven said, “because with COVID and everything still, more prices will just keep on getting higher because demand is high, but supply is low.”

Senior Alex Schmidt has a very different opinion on whether inflation will go down or not.

“I think inflation is going to continue to rise,” Schmidt said. “It might go down a little bit, but it’ll slowly rise more because we’re basically in an economic recession, like we were in 2008 but it’s heading a lot worse than that.”

Schmidt is not the only person who thinks inflation is a problem. 

“I think it’s affecting a lot of people,” Current Events teacher Ryan Petty said. “There’s just a big rise in prices just about everywhere.”

Schmidt has personally felt the effects of the increased prices.

“Because of all the inflation going on. It’s harder for me to buy steaks, meat or anything like that,” Schmidt said. “It’s also harder to afford gas because it’s like $3 now when it was only around $1.50.”

The last time gas prices were around $1.50 was back in Jan. 2021 according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Overall, the students who have been affected by inflation mostly include having to spend more money on either gas or groceries since all the prices have gone up since the past years.

“Some prices have gone up or whatever on gas and buying stuff,” Stueven said. “I used to fill my car for 35 bucks like completely now it’s 50 bucks. However I still get stuff for cheap, but prices have gone up by maybe nine cents and groceries are getting more expensive.”

In the end, since inflation shows no signs of lowering as of right now, Petty feels that this could affect both students and teachers in the future.

“Students and teachers are paying a little bit more for everything and not enough money to go around for everyone else as well,” Petty said. “Maybe trips like spring break plans could be affected. It depends on your parents and how much money that is put aside to deal with this inflation.”