By Zoe Lenz

Despite the chaos of the year, the Class of 2021 has risen through the ranks to take their places as seniors. They must now navigate the extensive path to college which includes their senior thesis and college applications.

Brooke Kirk stated, “Senior year has been definitely stressful with college and senior thesis, but it has also been nice to make last first memories with everyone I’ve gone to school with since middle school.”

The senior thesis process begins the summer after junior year and lasts the entirety of senior year. This TPA capstone involves two assigned novels and one chosen by the senior. Each group has two assigned advisors that help with the project. The seniors come up with an argument and defend it with a lengthy paper and public defense of that paper. “Though the path forward may seem cloudy and deadlines can seem endless, keep your head up and keep going on,” said Jake Medlen.

College applications are also sizable endeavors that also begin in the summer leading up to senior year. The information that colleges need ranges from grades and test scores to extracurricular activities and honors. Most colleges also require essays that take substantial time and effort. “Not only do we have to continue to keep our extracurriculars in mind, but we also have to keep in mind grades, applications, and senior thesis,” said Violeta Panayotova. “The increased workload can become too overwhelming, however it is the small moments of joy that help get through it. Whether it is ordering your cap and gown or setting things on fire in chemistry class, senior year has undoubtedly left an unforgettable mark in my life and education and continues to surprise me with every single day.”

The seniors all seemed to have the same thing in mind: The year may be stressful and times may be tough, but the clouds will clear eventually and the end result will be rewarding.