Oregon–did the finalists give the athletes 30 math problems and set a timer?
The OP is right to have observed that media coverage of the NSMFs has slipped. It sure has slipped in my area as well. Yet are not local newspapers still hunting for stories that feature local people doing something newsworthy? Apparently, attaining the NMSF designation no longer rises to a level worthy of note in the local paper even as a matter of record. I think @Oregon2016 is onto it–an anti-intellectual mood has settled across the land.
@gouf78 Exactly! I used that same line with the principal (who- BTW- blamed the student government officers for omitting the push-ups in its proposed program for the assembly.) The principal failed to mention the adults present including the athletic director, the vice principals, and the principal (!), who were standing right there but did not intervene to stop the embarrassing display.
I’d just like to give a different perspective. As @Iowa1962 said, a lot of kids and parents (and even school administrators) here aren’t familiar with NM and the PSAT. S’s school also limits the number of tests available to about 20% of the junior class. However, his school would love to recognize him and call attention to all academic achievements. S just isn’t interested in publicizing that about himself and he would feel the same way about athletic recognition. As part of a larger recognition with other students, it would be fine but he doesn’t want to stand alone in front of his classmates or the student body and listen to the principal give him accolades or have a newspaper article written about it. He has experienced that once because of an excellent ACT score and expressed his discomfort. (And it was his own discomfort. His classmates – even the “jocks” – were congratulatory and happy for him.) Fortunately, the administration honored his request to not make a big deal out of the NMSF achievement right now.
We’re very proud of him and he is proud of himself but he feels that outside recognition (other than scholarships LOL) isn’t really necessary. As part of the senior awards night, it will be appropriate and appreciated, and he is making an effort to tell his junior friends what being named a NMF could mean for them.
D17 just got a calendar appt made by the principal of her school to give an “interview”. She’s happy because she gets to skip gym for it . . . but that’s the only reason she’s happy.
Still, I say to those who are uncomfortable with the accolades: “Grow up”. I mean that with love. When you are an adult you will have to do all sorts of uncomfortable things like accept a community award, or grant an interview because of something cool you did. You can always express astonishment at the fuss . . . when you are invited to give a few remarks. You can always wear an astonished look. But do these graciously, please. Those who are lauding you WANT to do this. They think what you did is really cool. So be a sport and go along with it. It’s actually more about them than you.
We’ve been down this road with other children in our household so we’ve walked the walk. All of our kids are personally uncomfortable with stuff like this and so am I. Sometimes it’s a good idea to put personal discomfort aside and this is good practice for that.
I say the same for those who protest any celebration of a milestone, who skip their own surprise parties, and who generally show themselves to be ungracious when people of good-will seem to go overboard in their congratulations.
Now I’m sure to be lambasted on this thread for these thoughts. Fire away!
Wow, regarding the 30 push-ups. There is no way in hades my kid would have gone along with that request. That is ridiculous.
@JBFlying Well, I’m certainly not going to lambast you. I agree to an extent and of course we encourage S to handle such recognition graciously. I can’t imagine he’d walk out of a surprise party in his honor or refuse to answer questions for an interview.
I also can’t see him using an occasion of recognition to express astonishment of the fuss. That wouldnt be his style. He knows it’s an accomplishment and he’s quietly proud of it. I’m sure he’ll have a smile on his face when he’s inevitably recognized on senior awards night.
Given forewarning though, he deduced he’d spend quite a bit of time explaining the honor is based on the results of the PSAT that a lot of his classmates didn’t take and likely didn’t know was being offered and that it could mean college scholarships but there’s another process to become a finalist. He said he wasn’t very comfortable with the school making a big deal out of it right now and they didn’t.
Any accolade that is the subject of a press release should be recognized by the school even if the kid has to give some thought to explaining how it happened (my D17 made up some interesting and amusing reasons when her friends all pressed her for info. Now I’m wondering how that interview will go!). One needn’t even have a quirky sense of humor to deflect attention and still allow the school to publicize the achievement. There are ways to interact with peers that don’t have to include volunteering detailed information about PSAT scores or college funds. He can always direct questioners to the NMSC website about how the process unfolds.
The reason it’s important to allow the publicity is precisely something you alluded to, @IABooks: the younger classmates. I’ll add: And their parents 
Lucky the kid who is a friend of your son and learned about this test in time to prep and do well! If it remains his personal quiet achievement shared with personal friends and Senior Awards Night but w/o a larger school community announcement, then here are a whole bunch of families potentially left out of the loop. If enough families petition the school for space to take the PSAT, then the school will need to accommodate in some way. There is no downside to that scenario, other than your son’s lack of personal comfort. And that can be accommodated as well so that he can use his natural talents to help and inspire others w/o feeling embarrassed or unduly singled out. An e-news release with his photo and a FB post is all it takes. He needn’t even say anything - boilerplate about the PSAT and the scholarship opportunities, as well as the selective nature of this competition, can do the job for him.
Hopefully your son will not take the easy way out when he’s awarded Finalist! :D/
I didn’t realize I was so lucky that my school cares so much. Our principal held a small breakfast for the semi-finalists and their parents, and the county superintendent even came. Plus we were announced on the school’s website. I don’t know about other local media. I really felt special though when a couple random substitute teachers congratulated me.
All I can say is I am sorry this is not the case elsewhere. This is something that could be brought up to school administration, at least. At least you know colleges, scholarship corporations, and companies will all know and recognize the great achievements of NMS commended, semi-finalists, and finalists!