A new beverage trend has become a visible part of daily life at Mount Saint Joseph Academy, where Poppi, a prebiotic soda brand, can be seen in students’ hands across lunch tables, extracurricular meetings, and after-school gatherings in flavors such as Shirley Temple, Raspberry Rose, and Doc Pop.

The drink has become especially common in the MaWa dining area, where demand has noticeably increased. “I had to open four cases in two days,” Culinary staff member Chris Juraci said, highlighting how frequently the product is being purchased and consumed on campus.

“It’s just what everyone’s drinking right now,” Charlotte Felix ’27 said. “You’ll see someone with a Poppi in almost every group.”

Poppi’s presence at Mount Saint Joseph Academy reflects a broader national rise in popularity among Gen Z consumers, particularly young women. The brand markets itself as a “lifestyle soda,” emphasizing image, branding, and perceived health benefits in addition to taste.

At the school level, students and staff point to social influence as a key factor driving the trend. Bright packaging, frequent visibility, and peer habits all contribute to its spread throughout campus. Some students embrace the trend, while others are more skeptical.

“It tastes like chemicals and is more artificial than normal soda,” Stella Bradfield ’26 said.

Despite differing opinions, Poppi continues to grow in visibility across campus. The drink’s popularity illustrates how consumer trends can spread quickly within school communities, especially those shaped by social interaction and shared routines.

As the school year continues, Poppi remains a noticeable part of student life at Mount Saint Joseph Academy, serving as an example of how national branding and social influence can combine to create a localized campus trend.