The U.S. has a lot of history

“Staying motivated. There’s so much reading we have to do. Sometimes

you have to just stop reading for a couple days, then catch up.”

MICHELLE PAYNE, 16

“The tests are challenging, but challenging in a good way. It’s

expanding our horizons. We really have to think about everything.”

BETH MAGNUSEN, 16

“The mounting amount of reading every night. The work is hard to

do. That and all the reading at the same time.”

CANH MAI, 16

“The tests -- it’s a college-level class. Sometimes, you study too

hard and it’s not good enough; but if you don’t study, it’s not good

enough.”

SANDRA STOKES, 16

“The amount of reading we have to do. Sometimes I put it off, and

I’ll have to read a 30-page chapter over the weekend.”

CHRIS PAKTEL, 16

“It’s a lot of reading and a lot of work, but [Olguin] makes it

interactive so it’s more fun. And she’s so energetic.”

EVAN SPENCER, 16

-- Interviews and photos compiled by Marisa O’Neil