‘Tis the season for World’s Finest Chocolate; the time of year when students at Fort Lauderdale High School sell bars of chocolate in bright blue boxes to their fellow students. This fundraising method is effective, which is why so many organizations at the school employ it, but is World’s Finest Chocolate really the World’s Finest?

The chocolate comes in six standard flavors, Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Caramel, Almond, Wafer, and Crisp. According to freshman Thera Alphonse, the Caramel and Milk Chocolate bars are top sellers, while Almond sells out last. “The almond one tastes like really bad,” said Senior Gabriel Manning-Fatheree, bluntly summarizing what many seem to feel.

Each bar costs $1 and weighs 1.1 ounces. That seems like a decent deal until you learn that back in 1991, the same bar was 1.65 oz. “It’s like a chocolate bar on Ozempic,” said freshman Jahlanna Marshall. Ms. Montrose added, “It makes me feel sad about inflation,” recalling the World’s Finest chocolate of her childhood.

The chocolate gets mixed reviews. Senior Samantha Allie is a big fan of the wafer bar, describing it as having a “crisp, light texture that melts in your mouth.” She added, “The chocolate and wafer marry together perfectly.” But not everyone is convinced. “Oh, I don’t like that. I hate that chocolate,” said Ms. Blecker. “If there’s a chocolate I do not like, it’s that one.”

Some students think it’s overhyped. “It’s just alright if you’re starving,” said Senior Josie Perez. Senior Mela Holton kept it simple: “It’s not worth the money.”

This sweet treat’s enduring popularity makes it an effective school fundraiser that continues to be a hit with students at Fort Lauderdale High. It may not truly be the world’s finest, but it is successful in fulfilling a sweet craving in class and helping support fundraising efforts one dollar at a time.