School isn't even out yet, and already gas prices are more than $4 a gallon. It's hard to imagine how much it will cost this summer.
Gasoline companies say that there is a lack of oil right now and that these prices are necessary in order to keep the oil production coming. This is a little hard to take, though, since it has been revealed that Exxon Mobile and other leading gas companies are seeing record profits.
But just who is affected by these outrageous prices?
The media only seems to interview adults about their opinions on the gas situation and how it will affect their daily lives. Why don't they interview teens, too? Directly or indirectly, we are affected by this too.
Several Poca High School students were recently asked their thoughts on the subject, and they definitely were not shy in expressing their opinions.
"The price of gas causes teens to be stuck inside on the weekends, when they would rather be out," said junior Ashley Wooten.
"Some parents can't afford to let their children do something every weekend," Wooten continued. "My mom has already assured me that I will have to get a job this summer or next to help pay for the things I want to do."
Senior Rachel Groves says her summer activities could be minimized, too.
"Because of gas prices, I have less money to do activities after school," she said. "Even when I do get a job this summer, the money I make won't pay for having to drive off of Red House Hill every day."
This brings up another important issue for teens. Besides having more free time for activities in the summer, many teens also have plans to get a summer job. Plenty of these teenagers dream of working at the mall for the summer, but that might not be possible this summer.
Students are starting to realize that it just isn't beneficial to them to drive all the way to Charleston or Huntington just to make minimum wage. The cost of gas alone will take up all of their paycheck.
"I had originally planned to work in Charleston this summer, but now I may have to resort to working in Cross Lanes," said Junior Allison Santer. "This is all right, but the gas prices are unnecessarily inconvenient.
"My spring break was limited because of the gas prices, and I would love to go on a road trip this summer with friends, but I may not be able to," she added. "Gas prices are atrocious!"
"Getting a part-time job that is more than a few miles from your home isn't profitable," agreed junior Nicolet Pizzuto. "You would probably have to spend at least half of your money just to get there and back."
Though some teens are not directly affected by the high gas prices, they see the toll the prices are taking on their parents.
"Gas prices don't affect me directly, but they hurt my parents!" said junior Alex Finney. "If my parents did not pay for the gas in my car, I would be doing a lot less things!"
The cost of gasoline will surely rise throughout the summer, but if it rises too high, many people may find themselves, like Finney, doing a lot less activities. If action is not taken soon to regulate these prices, people everywhere may soon be parking their cars and just staying home.