Everyone Is a Winner
A Virginia high school had 41 valedictorians. The other students, presumably, were salutatorians: except for one guy. So that the valedictorians and salutatorians could feel better about their titles, they designated that guy Class Bonehead.
My brother worked hard to be valedictorian of our high school, and would have been but for a "B" in drivers ed. Life is competitive. Some can parallel park, and some can't.
My brother worked hard to be valedictorian of our high school, and would have been but for a "B" in drivers ed. Life is competitive. Some can parallel park, and some can't.
posted by steve u. at 6/17/2006
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8 Comments:
Steve's Brother: At least it was only Driver's Ed for me. Actually Driver's Ed and Physics, but I'd have to explain what the latter course is to you. Love ya, bro. Keep up the good work.
I did my time. I had Fudd for physics.
As someone who was the validictorian of his high school, I actually applaud what the Virginia high school has done. That's 41 students out of 687 who got above a 4.0, or about 6%. In the absence of any other distinction among these students, honoring them all is a fine thing to do and cuts down on some of the more unhealthy competition in high schools.
What they really need to do is change how they recognize students and have an equivalent to a "summa cum laude" designation. A student would need to complete an extra set of requirements -- maybe take a certain number of AP courses and do a service project -- to qualify for the honor, in addition to having a 4.0 GPA.
This reminds me of the line in the movie The Incredibles, "When every is special, nobody is." Too often teachers will give inflated grades so that the kid won't come after the teacher. The valedictorian in my HS actually went back to his 9th grade PE teacher and asked him to change his grade from an A- to an A, just so he could be valedictorian. I just don't think people are actually getting smarter, standards are slipping.
Daniel,
Agreed. Summa Cum Laude and Magna Cum Laude recognitions would do the trick.
And, I don't really care that much what a Virginia H.S. does; I just thought it was funny.
As someone who learned to spell 'valedictorian' before graduating high school, I'm with Salem on the remark about the Incredibles.
Part of the issue is really demanding parents too. I've got some choice annecdotes from teacher friends who tell me of parents who have called them up demanding that little Jimmy or Jimmette be raised a grade simply because he or she worked hard. Sometimes, I think, it is difficult to explain to people why "working hard" doesn't always equate to excellence or even quality performance.
My father-in-law taught 6th grade. A parent came to school and demanded that he change Junior's grade. He refused. The principal got involved. My F-I-L was told to change the grade.
He changed the grade, and said to the parent, "Okay. While you're here, though, what grade should Junior get this semester?"
His punishment was well worth our lasting amusement.
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