What becomes of Vals?

<p>Curm, the Bs were not discussed, at least in the way you might think (disapproval?). Last year a boy from our school killed himself and the evidence left behind indicated his mom was riding him to do better (he was one of the top students, but not THE top). The day I do something like that I’ll turn in my parenting badge.<br>
Anyway, I can see that my post should have stopped before the point of suggesting that working harder would result in just about anyone becoming val. It minimized the achievement. I apologize. I’ve been a music educator for years and my mantra has been, work harder, practice longer, and you’ll win. That’s true to some extent, where natural abilities are comparable. But the “natural” has always been the exception rather than the rule. My argument was sort of like saying, “well my son would have made the front page too, if he’d have pitched a perfect game.” Yeah, of course, but he didn’t. I've always preached to my kids that they make choices about where they expend their energies and there is a payoff.<br>
And I also apologize for misinterpreting your “betters” comment- I interpreted it to mean better in general (i.e. she is better than everyone else) rather than better student. (There are people in the world that think being the best singer/athlete/student/whatever makes them superior to others) Hence the heated comeback. I assumed something I shouldn't have.</p>