There’s a new virus going around Tyrone Area High School.

The symptoms are drowsiness, absenteeism, and a general decline of attitude.

This virus is known to only affect seniors and its spreading as the month of May progresses.

“I’m seeing more and more cases of this every day,” said TAHS school nurse Julie Patton, “it’s very contagious and washing your hands doesn’t even help.”

Senioritis, for those who don’t know, occurs when seniors take notice of spring and they just give up on school work because they’re so close to graduation.

Seniors are noticing the warm weather, fresh air and declining number of school days remaining in their high school careers.

“Students seem to be slacking off more and more as it gets closer to graduation,” said senior economics teacher Mr. Cummins McNitt.

Seniors Brandon Harpster and Ashley Christenson were voted by their peers in the class of 2014 as the king and queen of senioritis.

“I know I’m going to pass,” said Christenson, “I’ve passed all three of my marking periods in all subjects, and I have all my credits I need to graduate. Summer is just so close, and I don’t want to be here anymore. I want to start my life outside of this school, and head to college.”

“I’m not trying to slack off. I just know graduation is around the corner, I’m anxious to get out of here. I will miss it though,” said Harpster.

“Senioritis is real!” said senior Alyssa Benton.

“It get harder as the year gets closer to an end because you aren’t doing as much in your classes…but the stuff you are doing is worth more points so if you don’t do them you’re pretty much screwed. I mean, I struggle with this more than anything. I’m one of the biggest procrastinators I know,” added Benton.

The teachers are also feeling the effects of this virus, but they are doing their best to keep their seniors engaged until the very end.

“Students in my classes are worried about passing my class, more than they’re slacking off. My seniors are working harder than ever to make sure they graduate,” said senior physics Mr. Brian Gruber.

“My students are anxious about graduating. Not all my students are slacking off, only a few, but I must fulfill my responsibilities as a teacher and make sure they keep working hard until they graduate,” said senior English teacher Mrs. Kathy Beigle.

Even though you might be so close to graduation don’t give up.  Give it 100% until the day you graduate. Don’t slack off, because in the end it could hurt you. Don’t catch Senioritis!

Good luck seniors Class of 2014!