On Tuesday, Feb. 27, most members of the junior class took the ACT. The test, which takes approximately three hours to complete, took up the morning hours of that day.

For some students, the results they receive from the ACT can determine what colleges they are accepted into and what amounts of scholarships they receive. Because of that, there can be a lot of pressure added to taking this test.

Having the ACT was already enough of a stressor, but more events made the week even more exhausting. Earlier in the week, on Monday, Feb. 26, students and their PRIDE Time teachers planned when they could hold their annual Student-Led Conferences.

After the ACT day, on Wednesday, Feb. 28 and Thursday, Feb. 29, the eighth graders from Hays Middle School came for their visits to Hays High School. The Leadership Team members, consisting of juniors and seniors, showed the eighth graders around the high school in the morning of both days to help give the eighth graders an idea of what next year would be like. Club, organization and team representatives also sponsored tables in the gym on both mornings to showcase activities the students could get involved in. However, because the Leadership Team members and activity and athletic representatives assisted with these visits, they missed their first two hours of both days, and the juniors on the team missed their first two class periods three days in a row.

On Thursday, Feb. 29 was also the HOSA blood drive, which some students participated in also. For other students, the Spring Play cast and crew were wrapping up their preparations for their performances, and the newspaper staff were completing their March Guidon issue for their deadline.

The week of the ACT managed to be a stressful one for many juniors, but Spring Break is just around the corner, and plenty of students and teachers would agree that it is a much-needed break.

25ctholstrup@usd489.com