By Julia Hannon

   A senior thesis allows 12th-graders to demonstrate that they are intellectual adults. With this project, students can embody the school’s core values of truth, beauty and goodness. 

   Throughout Tempe Prep’s history, the senior thesis process has changed drastically. Originally, the whole senior class had to write about the same, singular book. Then, the rules changed so that the seniors picked three books, two from the curriculum and one great book. Now, advisors are responsible for picking the books for their group and each senior then picks a group. 

   In the fourth quarter of their junior year, students are given a list of senior thesis groups and asked to rank each one. They don’t know the faculty advisors who are a part of each group. They will only know what the books are.

   Some of the most popular books from this and previous years are “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Necromancer,” “The Scarlet Letter,” “The Catcher in the Rye” and “Things Fall Apart.”   

   Seniors receive the help of their advisors and 12th grade Humane Letters teachers as they write their thesis. They are held accountable for their progress with due dates for their outline, full draft and other necessary writing steps. 

   Part of the paper is also the final thesis defense. In the defense, seniors face a panel of their advisors and a chosen third speaker, who ask questions about the student’s paper. This affair is open to family and friends and juniors and underclassmen are encouraged to attend especially to get a feel for the process. At the end of the defense, the audience also receives a chance to ask questions about the paper and argument.

   As the senior thesis coordinator, Mr. Veenstra’s most important advice to the rising seniors is to read their books over the summer. According to Mr. Veenstra, “It is disastrous, catastrophic, if the students do not read the books over the summer.” 

   Another thing that juniors can do in preparation for their thesis is actively participate in all of their classes, especially Humane Letters. Building and strengthening good school habits now will make the senior thesis writing process easier. Juniors are also encouraged to think about what books and concepts interest them. A topic that you find interesting and worth exploring will make the writing process and your defense more enjoyable and beneficial.