One Valedictorian Too Many

Categories
Lifestyle

 

With graduation season upon us, I wanted to comment on a phenomenon that is getting some press. It seems that some schools are having trouble deciding upon a single valedictorian so instead, the entire set of top students gets to hold the coveted title.


I have a real problem with that. Don’t get me wrong – I fully recognize the hard work that all of these kids put into their academic success. I also recognize that it can be hard to distinguish amongst the most successful academic achievers.


But sometimes there really can only be one number one. Only one person can win the Tony Award for best actress. Only one team can win the World Series. Better yet, only one person can win the pool that bets on the World Series.


So what lesson are we teaching to our children that share the title of Valedictorian with 30 other students? I submit the wrong one.

Comments

Tom Gallin

It starts young when every kid gets a trophy in sports for just showing up.
Corey Bearak

There's a difference between diplomas and recognizing specialness and I am comfy with subjective decisions made by objective honest people.

Submitted by Lucas_Meyer on Wed, 06/17/2015 - 00:27

Permalink
Lucas Meyer

Nancy: I am SOO with you on this one. The idea that every kid is a "special snowflake" is nothing short of pernicious. Good for you for having the fortitude to expose the silliness perpetrated on our children.
Rona Gura

I am also with you on this. That is why there is a number 1 and a number 2.

Add new comment

Restricted HTML

  • Allowed HTML tags: <a href hreflang> <em> <strong> <cite> <blockquote cite> <code> <ul type> <ol start type> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <h2 id> <h3 id> <h4 id> <h5 id> <h6 id>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.