Salutatorian > Friend?

<p>I'm stuck in a bit of a position. So here's the deal. I was notified that I am the salutatorian a few weeks ago, but there's been some spites over it now. One of my closest friends has a GPA that is only 1/10,000 of a point lower then mine, only b/c she was a TA for a semester, which is only credit/no credit, whereas I took an actual class. So now she's arguing that we should share the position, because we both only have had 1 A- our entire high school careers, but I just have more A's than her. </p>

<p>I really don't know what to do, because it's such an honor to be salutatorian, and I worked my butt off for this title, but I don't wanna lose a friendship over this, because we really are good friends. I can either decide to keep the title to myself, or share it with her. While it may seem obvious to share because she's my friend and all, I really did do a lot of work, and always took the hardest classes. Any advice?</p>

<p>Yeah. What do you think is right?</p>

<p>Does she, in fact, deserve it?</p>

<p>Well, you should talk to her. Was the class an elective as opposed to taking Physics? Did she know the consequences of taking the TA position? How good friends are you? If this will break your friendship, will you be sad?</p>

<p>I say share it, who cares whether there are 2. You're probably already accepted to whatever college and what not. She is your FRIEND.</p>

<p>a true friend wouldnt get upset over it. And whats the problem with being ranked #3?</p>

<p>yea I agree... nobody cares that there are two salutatorians, I don't understand why it's so hard for you to share, it doesn't make the honor less prestigious. UNLESS of course if your friend did not challenge herself as much. Did you guys have a schedule that is similarly challenging? It's not really about hard work or smartness here because after all, this whole thing is determined by grades. so yes, if she took the same classes and got the same grades except that one TA class, i don't see why you shouldnt share it. HOWEVER, if your friend took easier classes overall, she shouldnt be able to be salutatorian because you decided the system is unfair for her. (and I think if you are well deserved to have it by yourself, she shouldnt be mad at you.)</p>

<p>Class rank is never fair or accurate and the day after graduation it is meaningless. 1/10000 of a point makes you even, friendship makes co-salutatorianship fun. Spread the goodwill, share and enjoy being generous.</p>

<p>I'm suprised the school lets YOU make this decision...at my school what they say goes and it is probably better that way.</p>

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I'm suprised the school lets YOU make this decision...at my school what they say goes and it is probably better that way.

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<p>I agree. (10 char)</p>

<p>What do you think is the right thing to do? Do you think she deserves to share it with you?</p>

<p>Just a bit of note - at my school, there's usually about ten valedictorians and saludictorians. This is because people come up very close.</p>

<p>Usually, nobody minds the sharing.</p>

<p>When you look back on this a year, 2, 5, 10 years from now, trust me you will be much happier if you shared this accolade. [though I thought the choice was made for you by others.]</p>

<p>I am a bit older and I just found my high school stuff while moving and frankly had forgotten all the academic awards I won -- or who in my class shared some of these awards. </p>

<p>Share it.</p>

<p>If you don't, ultimately you're the one who is a loser. It's not a zero sum game. You don't give up something, you gain something.</p>

<p>And by the way, if there are others in the same position or near to it, you might consider sharing it with them.</p>

<p>As much as you can at this point, take leadership in the effort to share.</p>

<p>And by the way, you'll always know you were the first selected to be Salutatorian, and that's all you need.</p>

<p>Ok-- here's my interpretation.</p>

<p>A) she should have just been happy for you in the first place. She shouldn't have even asked you to share with her. If she did have an issue she should have asked the guidance office or something. She shouldn't have put you in that position.</p>

<p>B) now that she has asked you, you need to decide which is more important-- pretige (though you're still tied for 2nd) or friendship. Honestly, yes, you have worked hard, but hasn't everyone in the top such and such percentage of the class worked their butt off to get the grades they did? Hasn't she put in just as many all-nighters to get the grade?</p>

<p>In my opinion, you should suck up your pride and offer to share the position with her-- what is 1/10,000 of a point anyway? worth a friendship?</p>

<p>C) yup, as mentioned above: </p>

<p>"I'm suprised the school lets YOU make this decision...at my school what they say goes and it is probably better that way."</p>

<p>Not right of the guidance office to put you in this sort of position... really, GPA isn't yours to calculate... it's their job and they shouldn't take the easy way out and force you to make the decision.</p>

<p>Good luck :)</p>

<p>Why not share it? That doesn't dilute the honor at all!</p>

<p>Ok well. Its not really my decision completely. Her parents are just super angry over it and are bringing it to the school board, and when I told my mom, she was also not very happy so it looks like its going to be a big case. </p>

<p>Let's just say she's the type of friend who has always had the spotlight, with being on track and volleyball, whereas I'm a bit more modest, studious, and have never won any real awards or been noticed very much. She's walked over me a lot, but I've never minded too much because that's the type of person I am. </p>

<p>At first I thought I wouldn't mind sharing the award, but after talking to people, like my parents and a couple close friends, I'm starting to question this. Sigh...</p>

<p>Also, I did take one extra class in the wee hours of the morning, called a zero hour class (jazz band) that she did not, which added to my GPA.</p>

<p>she walked over you? how so?</p>

<p>I wouldn't share the salutatorian title. It seems like you worked really hard for it, and if your friend isn't happy for you and instead wants to squabble over it with the school board, I'm not so sure she really is being a good friend.</p>

<p>seems more like the type of friend who keeps her enemies close and takes advantage of people.</p>

<p>I think the answer is obvious.</p>

<p>Her bottom line is, her GPA was lower. She took that risk, and she has to deal with the consequences.</p>

<p>The last three posters have a point, but in the overall scheme of things being Salutatorian still is less important than rising above this situation and letting your friend have some of that glory. Let her share it. You're better than to do otherwise.</p>

<p>yeah but it seems as if his "friend" (some friend i say) gets a lot of glory as is.</p>