<p>So true, indieice. Making a huge deal out of these awards just reinforces in a student's mind that you won't be happy with them unless they get these meaningless slips of paper, an idea that many classmates of mine already have painfully ingrained in them.</p>
<p>indieice - I think you make my point about the lack of meaning and therefore lack of viability with many awards:</p>
<p>"The preps and jocks and other "loud" people got the local ones, you know where the friends of the family are the judges.
As a student, can I just say that it hurts the student when parents are offended if their kid doesn't get anything"</p>
<p>As a caring parent I would never let my son think I was upset about him not getting an award. It's not about that - it is about what you have said - that the awards are often arbitrary and not a reward for effort, excellence, etc. or minimally, that the criteria are not expressed or clear. My son pointed out that only a few students received all of the awards - two hour long presentation of awards to the same 3 to 5 students. The awards, thus, had no meaning to him, and since they have no criteria, have no meaning for the students either. Why continue with them? We also have the scholarships for students of friends/families (memorials).......these should be given privately, I believe. Several were given to students who have no intention of going to college - it's just somewhat of a hypocrisy and slap in the face for those who worked hard, cared, etc.</p>
<p>indieice - thanks for giving us your perspective as a student on the receiving end of the awards. Congratuations on your success and good luck in college.</p>