As Mourning Senior High expands to open its first senior class, an epidemic is looming, waiting to strike. SENIORITIS!

Miriam-Webster defines 'senioritis' as "an ebbing of motivation by high-school seniors as evidenced by tardiness, absences and lower grades."

Many seniors have a hard time passing their classes during their last year due to 'senioritis'. A common theory for the cause of senioritis, according to seniors, is pessimism from their teachers, who think that they will be slacking off.

Some seniors just don't believe that there is such a thing as 'senioritis'. Senioritis can also be attributed to the decrease of stress in a student's last year. They have taken the SAT and/or ACT and their high-school transcripts have been sent to the colleges that they applied for. It is not uncommon for most seniors to experience this "disesase."

Although many teachers try to avoid teaching seniors, three teachers at ATM who plan to teach next year's seniors said they enjoy teaching seniors and "senioritis" does not bother them.

Ms. Zaida Hernandez, currently teaching sophomores and juniors, taught Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition, a senior class, before she came to Mourning High. She said that she's been teaching seniors for seven years and that her students do not slack off.

"The students know they will not get into college if they slack off," Ms. Hernandez said.

Mr. Vancol, a teacher from the math department at ATM, prefers working with seniors since they are closer to his age. He is planning to teach a few classes of Advanced Topics in Mathematics next year. He said he can relate to seniors more, as he is not much older than them, and can give them advice for their future.

In addition, he does not mind if the students slack off; but, to help them, he adjusts his rules and curriculum. He doesn't give them too much leeway, though. Mr. Vancol said he will call a student's parents if they are on the verge of failing.

Mr. Hoover, who is currently teaching juniors, is planning on teaching different levels of American Government and Economics, a senior class, next year. He believes that seniors are the much more mature than the younger students and fun to have in class.

"It is not hard to motivate them," Mr. Hoover.

On the other end of the spectrum is Ms. Miquel, a science teacher, who is aware of the rampant 'senioritis' in other schools and does not want to teach seniors.

"I love juniors! Juniors are ready to work and seniors think they don’t need to complete classwork since they are practically done [with high school]."

In other words, she believes seniors don’t have the mindset of working anymore since their high-school careers are over.

"They are lazy!" Ms. Miquel said.

So, will "senioritis" become an epidemic among the first ever senior class at Mourning High? Will the school's top-notch teachers prevent the disease from coming to ATM? Only time will tell.