<p>My high school newspaper recently posted an opinion piece about why the valedictorian should be chosen, and not the top student of the graduating class. It asks for the valedictory to be given by a student who is well-rounded, participating in sports and volunteer work, being well-liked in his or her class, basically being THE representative of the senior class.</p>
<p>I vehemently disagree with the article. There was a quote that was like "seriously, who wants to hear the valedictorian drone on and on about how important academics and education are". The article wants the valedictory to focus on more of the social aspects of high school life, like sports, and prom, and friendship and the like. </p>
<p>I am thinking of writing a letter to the editor about this article. What are your thoughts on the issue? Anyone agree with me? </p>
<p>What I have so far:
- Valedictorian is the highest academic honor and is traditionally based on grades; compare with "summa cum laude". It is not popularity, it is academic.
- My high school does not give enough recognition to academics, AT ALL. Good students, especially good students who are not in sports, are hardly ever recognised.
- My high school is a HIGH SCHOOL and thus the closing speech would presumably be about academics and education.<br>
- Students voting the valedictorian is unfair, because it would in fact be a popularity contest. My school is not above that.
- Three representatives of student council already address the student body, and they are THE student body representatives.
- There is so much more to high school life than parties and sports. Football and Model UN are equal, but my school does not treat them equal. Evaluating a student on her MUN ability vs. his football ability is unfair.
- Students who change my high school are not the prom kings or the linebackers, but those who actively pursued something bigger.
- Valedictory is meant to look back on high school, but also at the road ahead. It's about why school matters.
- I've learned to accept that I will not be able to make a speech at graduation. Why can't everyone else?</p>
<p>I hope I don't sound bitter or to caustic. My twin sister is valedictorian so this is kinda personal, and she's the first val/salutatorian who is not one of the most popular students, in a long time.</p>
<p>More importantly, this would probably be revealed to colleges in some manner (since it would be such an abnormality) on the high school data sheet. The "valedictorian" title would lose a lot of its value since it would, in essence, become the equivalent of prom king or queen.</p>
<p>My school got rid of a Valedictorian, but now have 2, yes 2, 'Academic Achievers'</p>
<p>Weird huh. </p>
<p>Plus, taking away Valedictorian would be like taking away cum laude (or the likes) status for a college degree. Doesn't make sense.</p>
<p>"My high school does not give enough recognition to academics, AT ALL. Good students, especially good students who are not in sports, are hardly ever recognised."</p>
<p>I know what you mean! 13 people at my school were NMSF, all good friends, the most in the district. Does the school tell anyone in ANY way??? Nope, just their names listed on the website. But they do have time to announce on the PA system about the top scorers in the latest BOYS basketball and football games. How nice.</p>
<p>I agree with you considering the circumstances. </p>
<p>HOWEVER, if your school were a school that only celebrated the valedictorian, I would probably be on the other side of the fence.</p>
<p>I think it's important to recognize all-around achievement as well as academic achievement.</p>
<p>Basically, I think your strongest argument against the article is that you already have those three student council members giving speeches -- these are the people who would get elected valedictorian under their system anyway, so why change it?</p>
<p>There is no doubt in my mind that you are 100% correct!!!! Valadictorians are the most academic achieved person in the school and not a popularity contest. No matter how much you may not like the person, they deserve it and they will deserve it</p>
<p>Wow, I've seen crazy stuff, but that tops the charts! Do they not understand that valedictorian is an ACADEMIC award? (Probably not, because they are like the students at my school who are clueless). I think your point about Student Council is well taken, at our graduation ceremony, the senior class president "presides" over the ceremony and introduces peopel and such. All the officers give a speech and the Student Council President gives a speech. Finally, the vals and sal give their speeches, but who cares after all those people went? Last year it was just depressing to me as I watched the "popular" kids totally outshine the ones who deserved the spotlight. And the vals and sal weren't weird, always-studynig people, they were very involved both in the school and outside the school. </p>
<p>I hate when people say "oh, academics isn't the only thing important, I don't want to listen to someone talk about education at graduation" The point of high school is education, not social activities or sports. I'm not saying those things are bad, they just shouldn't be the focus. If you're school is like mine, graduation may be the time for the school to redeem itself after continually focusing on sports. I was a NMSF (the only one our shcool has had in a very long time) and my principal told me he would put me on our school TV when he could announce it, three weeks after it was public information he still hadn't asked me to be on. Eventually my mom emailed him and asked about it and he put me on that day. In the meantime they had been spending 5-10 minutes every morning talking about sports. </p>
<p>Valedictorian is the only thing left in most schools that represents the most important part of high school: education and learning. I think you should go for it and and fight for it.</p>
<p>OP, I agree completely. Stuff like this shows school is just glorified babysitting. Seriously, my school cares more about the cross country team finishing 7th at the meet (out of 15) then they do about high academic achievers. School is supposed to be about education, but OP, that story you posted proves otherwise, doesnt it?</p>
<p>I sort of agree, but I don't think the val should be chosen only based on academics. In my opinion, a val should be chosen like this:</p>
<p>-Highest GPA
-Participation in at least one sport
-Participation in at least 2 clubs per year
-Over 100 hours of volunteer work</p>
<p>And to qualify, you'd have to meet all of those requirements.</p>
<p>Top of the class could be an academic honor, but there should be an award reserved to those who participate in school/community activities in addition to having great grades.</p>
<p>"Students who change my high school are not the prom kings or the linebackers, but those who actively pursued something bigger."</p>
<p>Actually, many athletes end up changing schools. If an athlete from your high school goes into the pros, they will most likely donate serious amounts of money back to the high school.</p>
<p>Also, sports players can also be smart and highly successful in academics.</p>
<p>I agree with the valedictorian being a completely academic award. However, there should be other awards based on community service, etc. Sports already get enough attention anyways. </p>
<p>But just think about it like this. Nobody gives a flying **** about what happens in high school. Nobody even cares if you were valedictorian except for the colleges you apply to. However, when you actually do get to college, academics are the highest priority and there is all sorts of opportunity unrelated to sports and the boring high school crap that goes on every day.</p>
<p>College is probably the next logical step for the great minds in high school, and these people should not let the typical HS B.S. get in the way of their higher goals in life.</p>
<p>
[quote]
-Highest GPA -Participation in at least one sport
-Participation in at least 2 clubs per year
-Over 100 hours of volunteer work
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I like where you're going with this, but athletics shouldn't be involved. Some are just more talented than others, and so long as the student has shown community or extracurricular involvement, the point that he or she is not a mere book worm will get across.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Some are just more talented than others, and so long as the student has shown community or extracurricular involvement, the point that he or she is not a mere book worm will get across.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>True, but I said participation in a sport. It doesn't necessarily mean on a high school team. </p>
<p>Or, you could just go to the high school team's practices. Even if you don't make the team, you'll count as an alternate and can still participate.</p>
<p>Trust me, there is a sport out there for everyone. Get exercise. It's good for you.</p>
<p>completely agree with the original post... I think the valedictorian should be chosen based on what it always has been, grades (and I'm not a val talking or anything). While I agree that someone who has slightly lower grades but is very involved in a sport is just as deserving of some sort of honor, not everyone can be. Our val is extremely well rounded, doesn't play one, though. That's just an example, I don't think there can be set requirements. </p>
<p>But requirements are different. To make it some sort of popularity contest, or voted on, just... I don't know the idea actually kind of makes me mad. </p>
<p>I hope you sister does get it, hemingwayisdead</p>