Madison Cabagbag | Social Media Editor
October 10, 2025
Within the past two weeks, the drink vending machine in front of the Little Theater has started randomly dispensing Snapple cans from the Gatorade button. While nobody knows the origin of this phenomenon, it has quickly become the talk of campus.
“It feels like gambling” said sophomore and frequent vending machine customer, Natasha Marinbakh. “It was a 50/50 chance last time I was there… [and] I’m very passionate about Snapple. I love Snapple,” she added. Marinbak’s friend, sophomore Gaby Aguilar, agreed that “it’s kind of like a little game. I like it.”
What started as a mysterious refill malfunction has spiraled into an unexpected source of entertainment. During break, students gather around the machine to test their luck, cheering when Snapple cans roll out and groaning when it does not. By this week, students have deduced that Snapple cans appear on every other click of the second Gatorade button.
While some people seem to enjoy Snapple for its novelty, it seems that the drink’s popularity isn’t just out of novelty. “I think we should keep the Snapples and maybe replace the red Gatorade fully,” said sophomore Amelia Wrinkler. “I just think everyone really enjoys [it].”
Vending machine popularity isn’t something new, especially among underclassmen. Many students admitted to spending around $2-6 a week on the vending machine, which seems minuscule in short term, but over time adds to roughly $70-210 per school year. Motives of purchase most commonly boil down to extra hunger or not packing food- but the funny thing is that San Clemente High School offers free lunches.
“I feel like I just love the snacks that they have to choose from,” Aguilar explained. Their decisions boil down to a preference in selection. The vending machine offers more brand name snacks and allows agency in picking what to eat rather than an imposed weekly menu. And with Apple Pay allowing students to use their phone for effortless transactions, it’s no surprise the vending machine is a hot spot.
So whether it’s the thrill of the Snapple gamble or the convenience of a quick snack, students find joy in the treat boxes around campus. And for now, this small mystery continues to turn a mundane machine on campus into a surprisingly fun highlight of the school day.
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