Everyone at GJHS who needs period products should have free access to them, no matter who they are or what they believe.
These products are not a luxury for us, they are a necessity. A lack of access to them causes girls and women to feel embarrassed and isolated because of their own body, and it makes them think that this natural bodily function is abnormal and something to be ashamed of.
Grand Junction High School is one of the many schools in District 51 that has free dispensers with feminine hygiene products in some of the bathrooms. However, I have noticed that they are always either empty or not present in the bathroom at all, no matter the time of day.
“Fully stocked, free-vend dispensers in a student bathroom are a subtle way to let students know their school cares about everyone’s education. An empty free-vend dispenser is an equally direct message that our society easily provides all the boys [needs] without always considering the other half of the student body,” Elise Joy wrote on her website girlshelpinggirlsperiod.org.
Over 75% of school bathrooms in the U.S. are not well-stocked with menstrual products, according to a 2018 survey by the National Association of School Nurses. Not even all the girls’ restrooms here at GJHS have dispensers, let alone products to put in them.
The annual cost to provide free period products for 950 students (around half of the GJHS student body) would be approximately $6,800-10,000, if we estimate around $7-11 worth of products per menstruating student. Assuming they’re used for emergency and supplemental use, this would be allotting for around 2-3 pads or tampons per student, per menstrual cycle.
If this cost is still too much for the school with a building which cost $145 million, many schools have hosted drives for donations of feminine hygiene products. The Tiger Boutique & Haberdashery here at GJHS also provides these products. However, having them readily accessible in the bathrooms would help eliminate the stress of getting help in time.
“As of now, I believe everyone has to either go to the Tiger Boutique to get something, and we’re not open during classes. I think if we could bring back that quick, easy access, it would be better for everybody,” said GJHS teacher Jodee Cronk, who runs the Tiger Boutique & Haberdashery.
If we come together and fight for access to these products, the students at Grand Junction High School can really make a difference.
The community has the ability to rise up and improve the situation. We do not need a huge grant from the state. We do not need to hide the evidence of a natural bodily function. So, what is holding us back?
Editor’s Note: Amelia Breedlove is a freshman at GJHS currently enrolled in the Reporting class.
Brynn • Dec 11, 2025 at 2:37 pm
Thank you, Kim. I respect your opinion, but I believe that as women, we deserve the ability to care for ourselves, especially when it comes to a natural biological process. Access to the resources we need shouldn’t come at a cost, like $6.99 a box at your local Target. While I understand that everything has a price, it’s not just the newest generation that feels strongly about this—it’s something that affects girls and women of all ages who must manage a normal, healthy bodily function. I think the groups of people who have the most difficulty understanding this are men and women who grew up being told to be tougher than they need to be about everything. As a teenage girl myself, I do go to school prepared, but when I ask to use the restroom for girls’ reasons, I get told to wait until the end of class or the passing period. The school should provide pads and tampons for the girls who don’t go prepared, because sometimes, we don’t even know when it could happen. Because we aren’t living in the 80s or 90s but instead the 21st Century, things like tariffs and inflation have caused the price and the lack of feminine products to be distributed. It’s time to ditch the excuses and stock the shelves and Schools. Because when it comes to education, no student should have to leave class for something as basic as biology. Let’s make period products as ordinary and essential as pencils and paper—no shame, no shortage, no barriers. If we really want to show we care about learning, let’s start by making sure no one has to learn unprepared. Period.
kaylee • Dec 11, 2025 at 2:27 pm
well kim maybe not everyone can afford to get sanitary products. Back in your day things were cheaper there’s a thing called inflation going on right now. Things are expensive also this generation is doing what you guys didnt.Looking after each other and to help each other. We want to actually make it so that in the future people can get the support they need. Do you understand what human decency is? We don’t think that things should be provided for free we think that people should be able to have access to certain things when they cant afford it. You all use the same phrase over and over again “Back in my day” well back in my day we didnt have to hear your generations whines and complains. Your generation complains too much. If i remember correctly your generation cant tell the difference between a jpeg and a pdf. So complain all you want about this generation but we take responsibility. we are actively trying to fix the mistakes by your generation.
Kim • Dec 10, 2025 at 10:43 pm
As much as I agree with your premise back in the day us girls just came to school prepared. We took responsibility for ourselves. Why does this generation believe that things should be provided for them? And for Free?