Many W.F. West seniors have begun to experience a phenomenon known as senioritis. Senior Brian Raymor said, "Senioritis is when you've put up with 12 years of school and you start to slack off because you've been doing the same stuff for so long."

Senior Shane Porter agreed. "Senioritis is when you're getting tired of school. While you can still care about your work, you don't care about the quality of your work. Everyone's been in school so long, they can't wait to get to college," he said.

The cause of senioritis is due to a combination of many different elements. For many students, some of these elements include graduation, the closing of one chapter of their life, the beginning of a new chapter, moving out, working, and just being completely independent.

Senior Jason Stevens said, "I've been cooped up in school for a long time. I'm excited about knowing I'll be able to start my life now."

There are most likely many parents and teachers who wonder why seniors get senioritis. Why is it that normally after 1st semester, that many seniors show an apathy towards school, and are extremely anxious to graduate? Senior John McCroskey, who got senioritis his sophomore year, said, "I got senioritis because I'm ready to leave. I've had enough of high school."

As soon as 1st semester ended, senior Britt Roden came down with a serious case of senioritis. She said, "I got senioritis because school became too monotonous. People just outgrow the social aspects of it."

Raymor came down with pre-senioritis around November. He said, "I got senioritis because a lot of the classes I have now are so boring and it's getting real close to getting out of here."

There is really no sure way to detect if a senior has senioritis, but there are some major clues. Senior Melissa Corby said, "Some signs of senioritis are zoning during class, forgetting homework assignments, wanting to be out of class, and complaining a lot."

McCroskey said, "People start going out and doing more social things and not going to school. Sleeping in a lot is a sure sign as well."

Is there anything that anyone can do to stop this plague? Corby said, "No one can do anything. Senioritis is just something you get. It's a senior thing and it affects everyone."

Senior Kevin Despain said, "Nothing should be done stop senioritis."

While some people may believe that senioritis is just a form of apathy and needs to be stopped, W.F. West seniors believe that it is just a rite of passage before graduation. Raymor said, "There's really no cure in sight. It's going to happen, and there is nothing you can do about it."

Senior Class President Margo Snow said she has no knowledge of any senioritis support groups forming this spring, although "it might be a good idea."