The Return of Bagel Tuesday
“Did I hear that Bagel Tuesday is back?” asked sophomore Talia Daniels to Chess Club Co-Founder, Ammon Hardy.
“Yep, that’s right — Bagel Tuesday is back and better than ever!” said chess club co-founder Wes Myers.
What is Bagel Tuesday?
Bagel Tuesday is an event where the co-founders of the Chess Club bring 2–3 dozen bagels every Tuesday morning to the library. Bagels bring students together to play chess, eat breakfast, and have fun.
The revival of Bagel Tuesday is a groundbreaking step forward for Rochester High School. With Bagel Tuesday, school morale is up 85%, and students are excited to participate and grow their skills in chess.
Why Was It Taken Away?
Bagel Tuesday was originally removed from Rochester High School due to newly regulated allergen rules, which prohibited outside food except during cafeteria meal times.
The Chess Club argued that 7:30 a.m. is a designated meal time and that the library is also an available location to eat breakfast and lunch. After several emails and discussions with administration, the club was able to bring Bagel Tuesday back.
They posted papers listing allergens to watch out for and moved the bagels to the upper part of the library (with the wooden floor) to make cleanup easier. Members also wipe down each table after meetings to ensure a sanitized, germ-free area.
Why is Bagel Tuesday So Popular?
How is Bagel Tuesday so well known? Why are people so attracted to it? How does it affect their lives?
Let’s start with a long-time member who admits they’re there mostly for the food:
“I enjoy the free food and bagels — mainly the cinnamon ones. They’re my favorite,” said Eli, explaining their main reason for loving Chess Club and Bagel Tuesday so much.
Another reason for attendance? The club’s advisor.
“I like seeing Mr. Kim. He’s one of my favorite teachers.”
This shows the impact Mr. Kim has on the strong attendance and community spirit the Chess Club enjoys.
“I enjoy telling my friends about it because it’s fun and interesting,” another member shared.
Bagel Tuesday is also a great place for students to eat breakfast and spend time with friends.
“I don’t eat breakfast because it’s too expensive, so it’s convenient to grab a free bagel during Bagel Tuesday. The most memorable thing is being there having fun with friends.”
Eli also mentioned the Chess Club Instagram page as a key source of promotion:
“The Chess Club Instagram is awesome. I had a fun time being posted on it. It definitely brings more support and members to the club.”
A New Member’s Perspective
Now let’s hear from a future member who became interested after seeing the Bagel Tuesday advertisements:
“I first overheard some classmates talking about the ban and how it might be brought back. I was hoping it would return because it seemed fun — just playing chess, making friends, and eating bagels.”
That’s exactly what Bagel Tuesday is: a fun event meant to bring the student body together.
“I heard the atmosphere is fun but competitive, which is exactly what I enjoy.”
Bagel Tuesday promotes a stress-free, peaceful, and intellectual environment for both the biggest competitors and the quietest players who simply enjoy time with friends.
“With how busy high school is, it’s hard to spend time with friends. This makes the Chess Club the perfect place to hang out with my buddies.”
A Tradition Worth Keeping
The return of Bagel Tuesday is a huge step for Rochester High School in promoting a positive school atmosphere. It motivates students and gives them something to look forward to.
Why wouldn’t someone want to go to Bagel Tuesday?
