On Feb. 28, the United States and Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran, starting a full-scale war between the nations that has engulfed the Middle East, with consequences that affect residents of Oswego, and OH students are feeling the impact at the gas pump.
The war has sent shockwaves through oil prices because Iran is a major exporter of oil and is estimated to have 10% of the world’s oil reserves. Since the war started, global oil prices have risen 40%.
“I think [there was] close to 50 or 60 cents per gallon price increase. I think it’s… leveled out a bit, but there was a time right when the conflict started where prices went up close to 40 cents in an hour,” said OH Consumer Ed teacher Lucas Frauenhoff.
Despite a partial stabilization of prices, it is not expected to return to pre-war levels for a long time.
“I think this is just kind of a lead-in to probably much higher gas prices over the summer, too. I don’t expect prices to go down,.. until the fall,” Frauenhoff said.
With an increase in gas prices, OH students are having to readjust how they pay at the pump.
“I don’t have a steady source of income, so I’m constantly texting my mom or my dad; Hey, can I get like, 30 bucks for gas,” OH, senior Hailey Nass said. “I have [a job] lined up for the summer, but not right now.”
Many students at OH have faced the reality that these high prices will be normal for a while and have accepted that they need to adjust to this sudden change.
“I don’t think they are going to go down anytime soon because the only reason they’re going up is because of the war with Iran,” said Nass.
Not everyone with a minimum wage job has the same schedule every week, so money comes differently depending on the job.
“I work at Chili’s as a Food Runner and Host. Having those two options and depending how much I get scheduled, it does cover my cost of gas, but it’s hard to bring myself to spend almost 50 dollars on a tank that will last me 2 weeks,” OH senior Savannah Morris said.
Adjusting the new gas prices is necessary for everyone, including students.
“I think the oil prices will continue to rise through these next few months. If it does go down it will be a huge blessing,” Morris said.
Hello! My name is Jessica Bellah and I'm a senior and this is my first year on 42Fifty Staff. I serve as a staff reporter and the Opinions Editor. I am also an editor for our school's yearbook, The Reflector. You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication!
You can just call me Max. I write about things that interest me. This is my second year on the team and I'm in 12th grade. You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication
