We have a problem analogous to the 19 art awards. Every student in each grade level is recognized for a cumulative GPA of 4.0 or higher. We have a crazy weighted average system with AP A’s=6.0, honors A’s=5.0. Out of the senior class of 500 or so, about 200 were recognized. It’s really a little nuts.
Also, there is a ceremony specifically for academic achievement. Part of the ceremony was to recognize seniors who received scholarships. Make perfect sense, right? What rubbed me the wrong way was that significant time was spent recognizing the students with an athletic scholarship.