Beware seniors, there is a sickness on the loose that no vaccine can cure. The contagious disease is senioritis. The definition of the dreaded senioritis varies from person to person, but overall the common symptoms include general laziness, being late to class and overwhelming desire to graduate. Now for the following seniors we take a deeper look into the illness and how they have been affected.

Brittany Green

As class drones on, Brittany Green, senior, ignores her teacher with thoughts of prom, graduation and college. Homework comes in late and the teacher’s words turn into background music to the thoughts of Spring Break, which she has already started shopping for.

“I cannot stay focused,” Green said. “I don’t even listen to my teachers.”

Green does not feel guilty for not paying attention during class because the fault is all hers. The classes for her are not as interesting as the anticipation she has for the year being close to over.

“It’s not [my teacher’s] fault I’m not doing [my work],” Green said. “I’m just not paying attention.”

Green believes senioritis will not be a disease she will travel with to Lindenwood University where she will study business. “When I’m on the graduation stage, I know it will be over,”

Green said.

Her definition: You want your senior year to be over and done with. You’re tired of school.

Her cure: To graduate.

Colleen Kelly

The clock reads 7:10 p.m. and Colleen Kelly, senior, waits by the house phone for the call which could save her from the disappointed looks on her parent’s faces. The call will say Kelly skipped a class and either her parents need to call to excuse the absence, or she needs to set a date to serve detention. So far, Kelly has served around 25 detentions and one ISS.

“While I am skipping I do think of [my teachers] and it is disappointing,” said Kelly, “but it just feels so good.”

If Kelly is not skipping, she walks into classes late and sits in the uncomfortable blue plastic chairs while multitasking by trying to stay awake and trying to pay attention.

“I get a lot of sleep,” Kelly said. “I’m just waiting for Spring Break and I just can’t really pay attention.”

Her definition: A seasonal disease in which one gains self-independence and dignity.

Her cure: Sleep and social interaction.

Rashid Pullem

For Rashid Pullem, senior and track and foot- ball player, the disease has set in. While finding motivation to come to school can be difficult, his grades have not been affected. “I maintain good grades,” Pullem said. “They drop every once in awhile, but I get them up.” Rashid feels the com- fort of his own bed and playing video games has more of an appeal than attending school. Although Pullem believes there is no cure for the sickness, next year when he attends either UMKC or Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, he does not think the symptoms will continue.

His definition: Being lazy and not turning in work.

His cure: none