"I can not wait to get out of this place; I am so sick of school." (I'm not going to do anything) the year is almost over." Statements such as these exemplify the decline in attitude by some of the students at Maine West.

Excuses can often be found by these students for their behavior and their poor attitude. These excuses range from the nice spring weather to the fact that the year is almost over. The feeling that since it is the end of the year, a person need not do work or go to class, is a poor and untrue excuse. The end of the year is a very important time for all students. The grades achieved in the fourth quarter are often very important. They are combined with the third quarter grade to reach the semester average. Some students, falling into the "third quarter slump," need the fourth quarter grade to improve the semester average. Semester grades are the only

ones that are recorded on a student's permanent record. These grades can often mean acceptance or rejection of a student at the college of their choice.

Think back to the beginning of the year; remember all the Homecoming activities? The participation and the enthusiasm of all the students during the activities was fantastic. This feeling, the willingness to get involved, that was so evident during Homecoming, should not be forgotten. The willingness to participate and do something must be maintained. It seems like the same names are being seen over and over again; the same people are doing all the work. Put your name on that list. It is not too late.

Why not keep the attitude of just a few months back? Stay involved and do things that will benefit others, the school, and yourself. Make these last few weeks of school the best of the year.