The feeling usually is strongest in the spring months, but can kick in earlier.

The malady is commonly known as senioritis.

“Yeah, that set in around December because you realize how close you are to graduating,” senior Vanessa Wardy said. “You’re ready to get high school over with and start college.”

The urgency to leave the halls of Tonganoxie High and either tromp from building to building at a college or begin a career right after high school often is prominent each May.

But before the outgoing seniors switched their tassels from right to left, a few students last week discussed the quality of the education they received at THS as they prepare for life after high school.

As Tonganoxie continues its population growth and as school officials debate options for future school buildings, seniors discussed how the issue has affected them.

Of those interviewed, the consensus was that class sizes are not a problem, at least at the high school level.

“To tell you the truth, in junior high I felt that way, but after that I’ve felt much better,” Jon Gripka said about oversized classes. “Very rarely have I had a class with more than 20 people.”

Vanessa Wardy concurred.

“I don’t think the classes are too big,” Wardy said. “Probably 20 to 30 is fine.

“I don’t think that’s crowded.”

Jessica Pearson noted that one class she was enrolled in had six students, although Laura Samuels said hallway space was a concern between classes.

“The hallways are crowded,” Samuels said. “It’s frustrating trying to get to a class on time.”

Results from a survey The Mirror took of THS seniors earlier this spring showed that just 6 percent of students responding thought class size was much too big for effective learning. Nearly 14 percent said the class size was slightly large for proper learning, while nearly 80 percent of the respondents thought class sizes were just right.

As for the quality of the education students received, the survey showed that just 2 percent of students gave the school a below-average grade — those students ranked the high school education in the D range.

About 18 percent gave their education an A, nearly 45 percent said the quality of education at THS deserved a B, while 35 percent ranked the school in the C range.

“I think it’s probably pretty good.” Wardy said. “I don’t have other schools to compare it to.”

As for the seniors’ report card on teachers, again no students gave instructors an overall F, but 2 percent gave D’s. The grade of an A came from 18 percent again, while 54 percent viewed teachers in the B range and 25 percent in the C category.

Along with the coursework comes extracurricular activities, and for the Class of 2003, just more than 88 percent thought the school offered adequate opportunities for outside activities. Nearly 12 percent didn’t think THS offered enough opportunities.

Gripka said the school’s activities were adequate, but the emphasis could stand to change.

“I think that they do, but the emphasis on the non-athletics isn’t what it should be,” said Gripka, who would like to see more publicity for Tonganoxie’s tradition-rich forensics and debate teams.

Considering Tonganoxie’s size, Jacob Walker said that the activities were ample.

“About as much as they could with the students we have,” Walker said.