How do you feel about schools that have done away with academic honors such
as valedictorian? (Note: Students responded by e-mail.)
- By DYLAN SHIFFER, Central York High School
1. In my opinion, the removal of such academic honors as valedictorian and
salutatorian is greatly wronging the student population. Many students strive to
perform at their fullest potential with hopes of being recognized as a leader of
their particular class. Their hard work and dedication should not go without
praise. This situation can be compared to a workplace where one expects to be
promoted or given a raise for satisfactory work: Are companies going to do away
with raises and benefits because they view it an unnecessary opportunity?
Schools should rethink their decisions before they re-create a student's future.
- Alex Peterson, junior, Central York High School
2. I believe that students should be recognized for their academic
achievements. This recognition awards the students' hard work and dedication to
their education, and these individuals should be identified for their
accomplishments. At my high school, we do not honor the valedictorian or
salutatorian, and I think it is a shame that these exemplary students do not
receive the recognition of their class, their school or their community for
their hard work. Thus, I think that schools should award academic honors because
it is a positive way to acknowledge the students who have earned the top
positions in their class.
- Natasha Maskaly, senior, Red Lion Area Senior High School
3. By recognizing valedictorians and salutatorians, schools provide positive
competition for students. If schools are going to take the "fairness and
equality" route and not recognize the valedictorian and salutatorian, they
shouldn't recognize anyone at all, not even athletes.
- Meghan Rishel, senior, Central York High School
I believe that taking away the honor of valedictorian is a travesty. If we take away the valedictorian, then the MVP of football, basketball, baseball, field hockey, etc., should be done away with as well. Why, as a society, do we honor athletics and forget about scholastics? A very small percentage of athletes continue on to a professional level. How many of our scholars continue on to a professional level? There is nothing wrong with honoring those who do well. What is wrong is that we allow school administrators to take away an honor to appease those who don't do as well.
Jen, you make a very good point here, and I agree very much with what you say about honoring scholastics on the same level as sports. However, I've seen too many fellow students stress about how their GPAs should be .001 percent higher to move up a rank to entirely agree. There is far too much competition for valedictorian, and many people burn themselves out before reaching the top, losing opportunities for great pastimes and friendships in their quest for great grades. Too often I've seen students disdain an elective they would really enjoy and excel in--like cooking, shop, or music--to load up on academics so they'll be "ahead." And all this for what? Getting to make a speech at graduation. Once we get to college, we all start out on the same footing regardless. The pleasures of high school should not be sacrificed for this age-old competition. Perhaps some other way of honoring academics...?
So, because something is difficult we should get rid of it? Because it is unfair to those who cannot attain it, we should get rid of it?
There is a lesson here--life's not fair. Some people get awarded while others look on. However, just because it's stressful and yes, competitive does not mean the honor should be taken away.
It really comes down to what is more important, honoring those who excel beyond what is accepted as the norm or not dissapointing the people who don't reach the requirements.
Laura, I think if someone is willing to drop extra-curriculars and such to try to earn valedictorian, then they can choose to do so. No one is forcing them to "burn themselves out." I would support anyone willing to try to make valedictorian, but sometimes it becomes an obsession. That's not to be blamed by honoring those who do achieve a higher level of excellence in their academics.