Review: Boys’ Bathrooms

Review%3A+Boys+Bathrooms

Alexis Ramirez

“Public bathrooms are nasty,” said Cuautli Martinez, ‘19, who has never used a Whitney M. Young High School Bathroom. If you aren’t disgusted by public bathrooms, you might still find your visit to the bathroom to be unpleasant due to a wide variety of inconveniences. Some of these inconveniences—like missing paper towels and flooding—are cyclical and unpredictable, while others—like broken faucets and door locks—are persistent. “Sometimes I have to try multiple bathrooms before finding one I can use,” said Julian Mirque, ‘19.

Getting a chance to go to the bathroom can sometimes be difficult due to certain teachers’ policies. “Mrs. Garcia never lets me go to the bathroom, so I always have to wait until passing period,” Marci Perez, ‘22. When you do get the chance to use the restroom, your trip should run smoothly. In this article, I’ll be rating each of the twelve boys’ bathrooms found throughout the school’s three buildings based on a handful of factors.

 

Main Building

Floor One

One NorthWest [1NW]

Location: Near Main Office

Amenities:

  • Stalls: 1
  • Urinals: 5
  • Sinks: 3
  • Soap Dispensers: 2
  • Hand Dryers: 2*
  • Paper Towel Dispensers: 1

Neighborhood Nickname: Wicker Park

☆Rating: 5/10

Although this bathroom was recently renovated, it’s quickly deteriorated into an only slightly above average bathroom. Despite being one of the first to feature Dyson Airblade V hand dryers, a large mirror, and new water faucets, their appeal soon dissipated. The awkward placement of the hand dryers—directly behind the sinks—makes it difficult for multiple people to wash their hands at the same time. Additionally, only one faucet is useable without splashing water all over yourself, as the other two have excessively strong water flow.

 

One SouthEast [1SE]

Location: Near Counseling Suite

Amenities:

  • Stalls: 1
  • Urinals: 5
  • Sinks: 3
  • Soap Dispensers: 2
  • Hand Dryers: 2*
  • Paper Towel Dispensers: 1

Neighborhood Nickname: Bridgeport

☆Rating: 8/10

If I had to sum this bathroom up in a single word, it’d be “potential.” Not long ago, this bathroom would have scored no higher than a five, but alot has changed since. It has recently been renovated to feature Dyson Airblade V hand dryers and new water faucets. It is currently missing a mirror, but it appears as though it will soon be installed. Let’s hope this bathroom can hold the hype for longer than 1NW.

 

Floor Two

Two NorthEast [2NE]

Location: Near Red House Dining

Amenities:

  • Stalls: 4
  • Urinals: 7
  • Sinks: 4
  • Soap Dispensers: 2
  • Hand Dryers: 2
  • Paper Towel Dispensers: 1

Notable Feature: Chicago Mural

Neighborhood Nickname: Pilsen

☆Rating: 6/10

Thanks to the amazing mural covering every wall, this bathroom offers one of the most enjoyable experiences in the school. This “Chicago” mural reminds us of the amazing diversity and culture found at Whitney M. Young High School. Unfortunately, the disappearance of the paper towel dispenser and poor hand dryer infrastructure has made this bathroom less pleasant to use. However, it offers one of the lowest wait times due to its high capacity.

 

Two SouthWest [2SW]

Location: Near Blue House Dining

Amenities:

  • Stalls: 1
  • Urinals: 5
  • Sinks: 3
  • Soap Dispensers: 2
  • Hand Dryers: 2*
  • Paper Towel Dispensers: 1

☆Rating: 6/10

Much like 1NW, this bathroom struggled to hold its appeal following its renovation. Of the two Dyson Airblade V hand dryers it received, only one still works today. However, its central location makes it convenient to use.

 

Floor Three

Three NorthWest [3NW]

Location: Near Gold House Dining

Amenities:

  • Stalls: 1
  • Urinals: 5
  • Sinks: 3
  • Soap Dispensers: 3
  • Hand Dryers: 2
  • Paper Towel Dispensers: 1

☆Rating: 5/10

There isn’t much to say about this bathroom. It’s useable, but not memorable.

 

Three SouthEast [2SE]

Location: Near Green House Dining

Amenities:

  • Stalls: 1
  • Urinals: 5
  • Sinks: 3
  • Soap Dispensers: 3
  • Hand Dryers: 2
  • Paper Towel Dispensers: 1

☆Rating: 4/10

Besides the occasional flooding, there isn’t much to say about this bathroom either. It’s not terrible, but it’s not amazing. It’s useable.

 

Arts Building

Floor One

One Arts [1A]

Location: First Floor West Hallway

Amenities:

  • Stalls: 3
  • Urinals: 3
  • Sinks: 3
  • Soap Dispensers: 2
  • Hand Dryers: 2
  • Paper Towel Dispensers: 1

☆Rating: 2/10

This bathroom easily stands as one of the worst in the school. With frequent flooding, a missing urinal divider, a broken stall lock, a discontinuous faucet, a splashing faucet, and a particularly unpleasant smell, it’s hard to top.

Floor Two

Two Arts [2A]

Location: Second Floor West Hallway

Amenities:

  • Stalls: 3
  • Urinals: 3
  • Sinks: 3 [2 functional, middle: discontinuous]
  • Soap Dispensers: 2 [right: not functional]
  • Hand Dryers: 2
  • Paper Towel Dispensers: 1

Notable Feature: Artist Mural

☆Rating: 6/10

Fitting to the arts building, the walls of this bathroom are covered with a mural featuring a wide array of modern artists. However, this amazing mural is contrasted with a discontinuous faucet, a broken soap dispenser, and an unpleasant smell.

 

Athletic Building

Floor One

One West [1W]

Location: Near Gym A

Amenities:

  • Stalls: 2
  • Urinals: 2
  • Sinks: 4
  • Soap Dispensers: 2
  • Hand Dryers: 1
  • Paper Towel Dispensers: 1

☆Rating: 7/10

Despite its issues—which include one discontinuous faucet and one splashing faucet—this bathroom stands out in a positive manner as a relic. This bathroom is the only one to feature “legacy” urinals and paper dispenser.

 

One East [1E]

Location: Near Gym C

Amenities:

  • Stalls: 1
  • Urinals: 4
  • Sinks: 4
  • Soap Dispensers: 2
  • Hand Dryers: 1
  • Paper Towel Dispensers: 1

☆Rating: 5/10

Unlike it’s neighbor 1W, this bathroom does not carry a nostalgic appeal. In fact, it doesn’t feature anything memorable at all. It is, however, useable.