![Hosting the SCLA Casptone Mentor Dinner outside allowed for more attendees on September 27, 2021 at Silver Creek. This event would’ve usually been held inside. According to Lauren Kohn, a SCLA 12 teacher, “If we have a higher number of people, as long as we can host the event outside, then that seems to be keeping every[one] safe”.](https://schsnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/sxMAIGbSYGodZkqmrvTi5YWcJ1ssWA08ApkeMLpp-900x675.jpeg)
You’re a high school student, driving when you notice your car’s gas is low. The car rolls into the gas station; you look at the prices, and you notice how the price is almost four dollars a gallon. Your previous plans on going out to lunch with your friends may have to wait.
On February 28, 2026, Israel and the United States launched air strikes in multiple cities and sites in Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The conflict in Iran has caused gas prices to surge all across the globe due to Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz. It is the only way via sea out of the Persian Gulf, where it carries ⅕ of the world’s oil supply.
In the United States, the current national average of gas prices is $4.08 per gallon, and an average of $3.88 per gallon in Boulder County as of April 2, 2026. Before the war, gas prices were averaging $2.90 per gallon. This has influenced some students ages 16-18 at Silver Creek High School to change their day-to-day decisions.
“I take routes that avoid hills, try not to go as fast when driving, and I’ve also been coasting more by staying in neutral,” Lauren Rudland Colmenares, a junior at Silver Creek, said.
Before the conflict going on in Iran, Rudland Colmenares, she was spending about $15 to $20 at the pump, but now, during the price increase, she is spending $45 to $50 at the gas station.
Students have started to cut back on other expenses like going out to lunch or buying unnecessary items, to pay for gas.
“I have been trying to cut back more on going out to eat and use that money for gas,” Aylah Seigal, a junior at Silver Creek, said.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has allowed for widespread sales of a higher ethanol blend in the hope it will help bring down high gas prices. Ethanol is used to boost the efficiency of the car, but it has drawbacks: This higher blend has been highly restricted because, in warm weather conditions, it could worsen smog.
“I am spending about 15 dollars more at the gas station, and since I only get paid from my job at the end of every month, I am putting more money into savings,” Sara Pilon, a junior at Silver Creek
Students all across the school have started to express their concerns for the rising gas prices. They have all been putting extra money into their savings account to pay for gas, but it looks like the price increase isn’t done.
The United States sent a 15-point ceasefire plan to Iran, but it was rejected and issued a counter-proposal. Both sides want to control the Strait of Hormuz, but since they can’t agree on the strait, gas prices are expected to rise even more. This could lead to more students to cut back on even more expenses.
“I am worried that this [war] is going to last a while, and gas prices will keep going up, and I would have to put more money into savings,” Rudland Colmenares said.
