There is a wide variety of college level classes that are featured at De Soto High School, and AP Language and Composition is one of the more popular AP classes that students take.

APLAC is taught by Philip Hamilton who, to most of his students, like junior Spencer Thurlow,  is known as a very dedicated teacher who focuses on helping each individual succeed.

“Mr. Hamilton is the G.O.A.T [greatest of all time]” Thurlow said. “He has helped me almost every Seminar with ACT prep even though that isn’t even the class that I’m taking with him.”

Because Hamilton is so dedicated to helping his students succeed, he has planned writing parties for his APLAC classes to get edits and finish their papers over the weekends.

Writing parties are usually held on a Sunday in the Media Center from about 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Students in APLAC attend the parties to finish their essays that they are working on. At the parties people can get help from Hamilton or previous students who volunteer to help.

Senior Brayden Brummer, who is enrolled in the class, says how helpful the writing parties are.

“Most people stay at the school for five or six hours to get their papers completely done,” Brummer said. “It does help a lot though and as a bonus he brings snacks to the people who show up.”

Hamilton believes that the parties are beneficial those who show up.

“I think it shows students the type of work it takes to be successful on a college level project,” Hamilton said. “Students having that community collective academic experience really helps them to be successful on the paper at hand as well.”