Seniors spent the last week before Thanksgiving turning in the dreaded research paper.

A ten page paper was assigned to students in Mrs. Emma Richardson’s senior English class due Monday, November 14, while Dr. Scott Curtis and Dr. Thomas Easterling’s classes had their eight page paper due on Friday, November 18.

Some students worked diligently before the due date, while others were struggling to meet their deadline.

“I have completed four pages so my plan is just to try and do a page everyday in order to finish on time and complete all of my other work that is due,” senior Madison McLean, who is in Dr. Curtis’ class, said Monday. 

“Well I still have to read my book and I still have to do research, but I have high hopes that I’ll make it,” senior Achintya Prasad said.

 “The week before an extended is usually a time when teachers try and complete a unit, therefore we have a lot of tests and assignments due. The research paper just added to the load. Playing soccer helps to clear my mind and give me a break from studying, but it is also very time consuming,” explained senior and soccer captain Darby Meadows.

Some students shared optimism.

“My research paper is going somewhere. My goal is to be finished by 5:00 p.m. Thursday night,” John Wells said.

Others simply expressed relief.

“My research paper was due Monday. I started around 9:00 and finished all ten pages by 11:59 because we had lights out at 12:00. I am just thankful to be finished. God bless America,” Shivani Patel stated.  

In the end, research papers were completed, printed, paper clipped, and turned in. Some may have regrets, but they always remember “we’re all in this together.”