Senior members of G-step, cheerleading and the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams were honored at senior night in late February.
It is time for an update on the University Academy seniors. The last few weeks have been packed for seniors with the ACT, senior pictures and senior night for winter sports. The seniors are also working on finishing their thesis papers.
Members of the Class of 2025 took their final ACT on Feb. 8. Many students are trying to raise their scores to qualify for certain schools and/or scholarships. Next in the order of events was senior pictures.
On Feb. 10, senior pictures were taken. One picture was the traditional senior “READ picture,” in which each senior chose a favorite book from his or her childhood to hold and pose with. These pictures will be printed out as posters and put up by the library for all to see later this spring.
In addition, cap and gown pictures were taken. These will be used in the graduation program, the yearbook, and students can order them for their own graduation announcements and keepsakes.
Sam Stoecklein, a UA senior, said he was happy that he got his hair cut before the pictures. Messiah Sharpe, another UA senior, went shopping to find a cute outfit to wear.
“I love the idea that this picture will be in the yearbook, and taking this picture gets me one step forward to graduating,” Sharpe said. “Even though the picture is chest and up, I need to look as best I can for my own happiness.”
Next was senior night on Feb. 20, which acknowledged seniors in girls’ basketball, boys’ basketball, cheer and G-step. The ceremony took place between the varsity basketball games against St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School.
Sharpe was recognized for G-step, and the basketball seniors who were honored were Anonda Ford, Nevaeh Leeks, Ashlee Ford, Zha’Sean Taylor, Michael Smith, Xavier Hoskins, Keaton Davis, Elijah Bruce and Keon Johnson. Senior cheerleaders celebrated included Arilynn Howard, Kaelyn Pointer, Aaliyah Lee, Courtne’ Speed, Tiana Leverette, Akyra Hearron and Taylor Lane.
In the midst of all of these activities, seniors have been working on their thesis papers, which are due on Feb. 27. They started the writing process on Jan. 13.
Mr. Joshua Burdette, the Upper School seminar teacher, said the thesis projects have been a team effort this year, as the English and social studies departments helped preparing students for the research aspect as well as for the writing required.
Stoecklein said he feels as though everything he is writing is not enough, and it is not helping that 3,000 words are required.
Sharpe said the thesis project has been adding stress to her life since the very beginning. She is doing a persuasive topic arguing that zoos and aquariums should be banned.
Sharpe said, “I think the thesis is stressful because it is a big part of my senior year, and I need it to be perfect so I can graduate.”
Sharpe and Stoecklein are both planning to go to the University of Missouri-Kansas City after graduation. Sharpe will study dental hygiene, while Stoecklein will pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.
Mr. Burdette said, “This time of year is always exciting and also anti-climactic for students. For some students, they are making college decisions at this time, and it’s also exciting because many students will find out about competitive scholarships at their school of choice. It’s also anticlimactic because, for the most part, applications are completed and rolling decisions schools have notified students of their decisions.”
Stoecklein is excited to graduate, and he jokingly said he can’t wait to pay thousands for his education.
Sharpe is looking forward to having a more independent lifestyle after graduating from UA.
Graduation is getting closer and closer with every passing day. Soon these seniors will be out on their own starting their next chapters in life.
The Class of 2025’s graduation ceremony will held be on May 15, so get ready for it.
