TOTALLY GEEKED!

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Valedictorian barred from graduation

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

This is just more of trying to do away with our usual traditions. Wah, wah, why does the Valedictorian get to speak and not everyone else? That isn't FAIR, wah, wah. Actually it is the ONLY thing that is fair. You are #1 , you get the honor of speaking.
But, on the other hand, it seems now that kids are trying to take over the event for their own agenda as well so Admin has to deal with and think of that. I don't think it is right to take a monumental event that is meant for everyone and turn it into a LookAtMe platform either.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
This is just more of trying to do away with our usual traditions. Wah, wah, why does the Valedictorian get to speak and not everyone else? That isn't FAIR, wah, wah. Actually it is the ONLY thing that is fair. You are #1 , you get the honor of speaking.
But, on the other hand, it seems now that kids are trying to take over the event for their own agenda as well so Admin has to deal with and think of that. I don't think it is right to take a monumental event that is meant for everyone and turn it into a LookAtMe platform either.

But that's not the issue here.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

I'm not even aware that his speech was an issue. It's rather simple, actually - and not all about him. Seems normal.

Here's Devan's speech:

Friends, family, classmates, parents, Class of 2015.

I'd like to talk to you a little about the world we live in. It's a world of chance and change.

And that's just the type of world where we will thrive in. We, as a class, are the type of people who take chances and the people who make change.

I don't think we fully understand all of our accomplishments quite yet so just let me name then really quickly. Can you believe that each and every one of us have lived through 2 centuries, 3 decades, 4 wars, 5 World Cups, handfuls of floods, droughts, hurricanes, bomb threats, school shooters, and an economic depression? And we're not even 20. We've made it through 9/11, Hurricane Sandy, and a government shutdown. We've outlived Myspace, a pope, and who would've thought, we've even outlived a planet. And we haven't even graduated high school yet. Everyone is afraid of graduating high school and not having a job, but I'm not sure how you couldn't hire someone with that on their resume.

Throughout these last 4 years there have been a lot of changes within our school. We've had a new principal, a new guidance director, three new department heads, countless new teachers, and even a few a changes in school policy. Throughout all this it's not as though we've sat idly by; we've grown along with the school. How did we do that? Through taking chances. Chances on ideas, chances for the future, chances on each other.

Some people are afraid of change. Some people get hesitant around it. What we often fail to realize is that we are the generation of change. We are not merely a class that can witness change and acknowledge it for what it is. Look to your left, I'm sure there's a person there that would gladly take a chance for you. Look to your right, I'm just as sure that there's a person who can and will make a difference in this world. We are not the story of how it's possible to survive change. We are the story of how you should embrace it. We are its success story.

Congratulations to the class of 2015 and thank you for taking the time to listen to me today.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

It wasn't his speech, not the written one anyway. He was arrogant and mouthy and was called out on it.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
This is just more of trying to do away with our usual traditions. Wah, wah, why does the Valedictorian get to speak and not everyone else? That isn't FAIR, wah, wah. Actually it is the ONLY thing that is fair. You are #1 , you get the honor of speaking.
But, on the other hand, it seems now that kids are trying to take over the event for their own agenda as well so Admin has to deal with and think of that. I don't think it is right to take a monumental event that is meant for everyone and turn it into a LookAtMe platform either.
But that's not the issue here.

I am guessing they think that he is going to go rogue. Yeah, here is the speech he is SUPPOSED to do, but I think maybe they are feeling that he his own agenda. I mean who knows? Not saying they shouldn't let him speak because you could say that about anybody. I suppose the only real solution is to video tape the Valedictorian giving the speech in advance and then show it at graduation.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
It wasn't his speech, not the written one anyway. He was arrogant and mouthy and was called out on it.

Where do you get that? The school isn't talking. He got in trouble once several months before for talking back to a teacher while defending another kid. If that was the issue - why not tell him then?

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
This is just more of trying to do away with our usual traditions. Wah, wah, why does the Valedictorian get to speak and not everyone else? That isn't FAIR, wah, wah. Actually it is the ONLY thing that is fair. You are #1 , you get the honor of speaking.
But, on the other hand, it seems now that kids are trying to take over the event for their own agenda as well so Admin has to deal with and think of that. I don't think it is right to take a monumental event that is meant for everyone and turn it into a LookAtMe platform either.
But that's not the issue here.
I am guessing they think that he is going to go rogue. Yeah, here is the speech he is SUPPOSED to do, but I think maybe they are feeling that he his own agenda. I mean who knows? Not saying they shouldn't let him speak because you could say that about anybody. I suppose the only real solution is to video tape the Valedictorian giving the speech in advance and then show it at graduation.

Do we really want to live in a nation where what someone MIGHT say, without any evidence thereof, gets you shut up, and then when you complain about it, gets you banned and suspended?

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

They are messing with this kid's future because they don't like him.

And since when do we just have to TAKE decisions like this without questioning them?

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
This is just more of trying to do away with our usual traditions. Wah, wah, why does the Valedictorian get to speak and not everyone else? That isn't FAIR, wah, wah. Actually it is the ONLY thing that is fair. You are #1 , you get the honor of speaking.
But, on the other hand, it seems now that kids are trying to take over the event for their own agenda as well so Admin has to deal with and think of that. I don't think it is right to take a monumental event that is meant for everyone and turn it into a LookAtMe platform either.
But that's not the issue here.
I am guessing they think that he is going to go rogue. Yeah, here is the speech he is SUPPOSED to do, but I think maybe they are feeling that he his own agenda. I mean who knows? Not saying they shouldn't let him speak because you could say that about anybody. I suppose the only real solution is to video tape the Valedictorian giving the speech in advance and then show it at graduation.
Do we really want to live in a nation where what someone MIGHT say, without any evidence thereof, gets you shut up, and then when you complain about it, gets you banned and suspended?

No. I am not necessarily advocating that. Just merely putting forth other possible options. I don't want to live in a world where being the Valedictorian doesn't mean anything because someone might get their whittle feelings hurt that they weren't #1.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

Lawyerlady wrote:
I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
It wasn't his speech, not the written one anyway. He was arrogant and mouthy and was called out on it.
Where do you get that? The school isn't talking. He got in trouble once several months before for talking back to a teacher while defending another kid. If that was the issue - why not tell him then?

According to Solanki himself, a few minor disciplinary infractions — most of them amounting to “mouthing off”

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
It wasn't his speech, not the written one anyway. He was arrogant and mouthy and was called out on it.
Where do you get that? The school isn't talking. He got in trouble once several months before for talking back to a teacher while defending another kid. If that was the issue - why not tell him then?

According to Solanki himself, a few minor disciplinary infractions — most of them amounting to “mouthing off”

Ok, so he mouthed off. Not sure what that has to do with having done the work of 12 years to win that honor.

DemoniaD · Senior Member

Being the Valedictorian means you were the top academic performer for your class. Not giving a speech doesn't take away that honor. Having the top grades does not automatically equate to being the best speaker.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

DemoniaD wrote:
Being the Valedictorian means you were the top academic performer for your class. Not giving a speech doesn't take away that honor. Having the top grades does not automatically equate to being the best speaker.

It isn't about "best speaker". It is a traditional honor awarded to the Valedictorian. Sheesh.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
It wasn't his speech, not the written one anyway. He was arrogant and mouthy and was called out on it.
Where do you get that? The school isn't talking. He got in trouble once several months before for talking back to a teacher while defending another kid. If that was the issue - why not tell him then?

According to Solanki himself, a few minor disciplinary infractions — most of them amounting to “mouthing off”

I dare you to find a teenager that has never mouthed off. Once instance of mouthing off should not outweigh what is obviously a lot of very hard work.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Being the Valedictorian means you were the top academic performer for your class. Not giving a speech doesn't take away that honor. Having the top grades does not automatically equate to being the best speaker.
It isn't about "best speaker". It is a traditional honor awarded to the Valedictorian. Sheesh.

Yeah, I don't get that. This school's speech has always gone to the valedictorian, until now. And the school really hasn't given a reason - likely because they don't have a good one to give.

How is "I'd like to settle this peacefully" a threat that requires a psychological exam? And when he does the psychological exam which says he is fine, he still gets suspended?

This does not make any sense.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

And let's please remember the kid's dad DIED during this school year, and he still kept the grades and got into several IVY league schools. Hell, DN's school passed her because her mom died, and this kid gets banned from graduation for mouthing off? That's absurd.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

And if mouthing off gets you banned from graduation - they best just cancel graduation altogether - b/c the rest of the students are protesting.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

I'm glad the students are protesting.

flan

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
And if mouthing off gets you banned from graduation - they best just cancel graduation altogether - b/c the rest of the students are protesting.

Well, we really don't know what is going on. And, if there are incidents in our School the Board and Admin cannot publically talk about private student discipline. So, wanting a Pysch eval seems pretty extreme but we don't know the circumstances either. Not defending this necessarily but saying you are only hearing one side as the School cannot disclose all of the private discipline.

DemoniaD · Senior Member

Well by all means, he got the grades, so who cares if he is the best candidate to deliver the speech? Heaven forbid we break tradition, and try to find the best qualified. We wouldn't want to hurt his feelings honoring him by recognizing only his academic achievements at the ceremony.

And the school's reason is right in the posted story. Or at least this kid's version of it anyway:

They told me that they have been trying to implement a new policy where National Honor Society members apply for the chance to give the speech, and now was as good of a time as ever,” Solanki explained in a letter addressed to his teachers.

Besides that, it sounds like he was in trouble for more than mouthing off, since it states MOST were for mouthing off, meaning there were other infractions that were not. It would be nice to know how the talk with the guidance counselor really went down too. Unfortunately, schools aren't allowed to talk about specific students, so all we have is this kid's word and a clearly biased article.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

DemoniaD wrote:
Well by all means, he got the grades, so who cares if he is the best candidate to deliver the speech? Heaven forbid we break tradition, and try to find the best qualified. We wouldn't want to hurt his feelings honoring him by recognizing only his academic achievements at the ceremony.

He "earned" it. We used to have a thing about "earning" something. Remember? confuse

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Well by all means, he got the grades, so who cares if he is the best candidate to deliver the speech? Heaven forbid we break tradition, and try to find the best qualified. We wouldn't want to hurt his feelings honoring him by recognizing only his academic achievements at the ceremony.

He "earned" it. We used to have a thing about "earning" something. Remember?

Exactly. The valedictorian earns the right to give the speech by BEING THE VALEDICTORIAN. He has a 4.3 GPA and got accepted to numerous IVY League schools - who is better qualified than that? This is SCHOOL.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

Lawyerlady wrote:
And if mouthing off gets you banned from graduation - they best just cancel graduation altogether - b/c the rest of the students are protesting.

Our schools have very strict rules w/r to any type of 'mouthing off". Not saying I agree with it, but he did violate such rules. The schools cannot say why they are punishing a kid, they all have gag orders. When DD defended another girl who had been kicked by a boy, the school could only tell me why DD was getting a punishment and couldn't even give me the names of the other kids involved.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Wow, people really do like to tear down the brightest and the best.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
And if mouthing off gets you banned from graduation - they best just cancel graduation altogether - b/c the rest of the students are protesting.
Our schools have very strict rules w/r to any type of 'mouthing off". Not saying I agree with it, but he did violate such rules. The schools cannot say why they are punishing a kid, they all have gag orders. When DD defended another girl who had been kicked by a boy, the school could only tell me why DD was getting a punishment and couldn't even give me the names of the other kids involved.

I cannot agree with this. It happened months before and he already served detention for it. And that actually hasn't been given as the reason - Devon is just speculating that's why. They didn't actually give a reason. And no gag order applies to telling the kid in question.

-- Edited by Lawyerlady on Tuesday 23rd of June 2015 08:36:19 AM

DemoniaD · Senior Member

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Well by all means, he got the grades, so who cares if he is the best candidate to deliver the speech? Heaven forbid we break tradition, and try to find the best qualified. We wouldn't want to hurt his feelings honoring him by recognizing only his academic achievements at the ceremony.

He "earned" it. We used to have a thing about "earning" something. Remember?

He earned his grades. He earned the recognition for those grades. No one is taking away the honor of that. How exactly does getting the best grades make one most deserving of speaking? Because that's just how it's always done? Giving it for the sake of tradition isn't exactly earning it.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

DemoniaD wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Well by all means, he got the grades, so who cares if he is the best candidate to deliver the speech? Heaven forbid we break tradition, and try to find the best qualified. We wouldn't want to hurt his feelings honoring him by recognizing only his academic achievements at the ceremony.

He "earned" it. We used to have a thing about "earning" something. Remember?
He earned his grades. He earned the recognition for those grades. No one is taking away the honor of that. How exactly does getting the best grades make one most deserving of speaking? Because that's just how it's always done? Giving it for the sake of tradition isn't exactly earning it.

It's part of the "honor" of being Valedictorian. I can't help you if you can't understand that.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
Wow, people really do like to tear down the brightest and the best.

Yes. They sure do.

DemoniaD · Senior Member

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Well by all means, he got the grades, so who cares if he is the best candidate to deliver the speech? Heaven forbid we break tradition, and try to find the best qualified. We wouldn't want to hurt his feelings honoring him by recognizing only his academic achievements at the ceremony.

He "earned" it. We used to have a thing about "earning" something. Remember?
He earned his grades. He earned the recognition for those grades. No one is taking away the honor of that. How exactly does getting the best grades make one most deserving of speaking? Because that's just how it's always done? Giving it for the sake of tradition isn't exactly earning it.
It's part of the "honor" of being Valedictorian. I can't help you if you can't understand that.

So tradition is how he earned it then. Got it.

FNW · Guru

He sounds like a loose cannon. His parents were loose cannons and they raised another one. Now he's trying to bully his way onto the stage. Sure, he earned it with his grades. Academically he might be bright, but socially, not so much. Or else he'd learn to temper his emotions and not mouth off. And the school is not talking because they can't. Privacy and all that.

What I want to know is, why is he just now graduating at age 19? I don't call that being ahead of his class. I call that being behind.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

DemoniaD wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Well by all means, he got the grades, so who cares if he is the best candidate to deliver the speech? Heaven forbid we break tradition, and try to find the best qualified. We wouldn't want to hurt his feelings honoring him by recognizing only his academic achievements at the ceremony.

He "earned" it. We used to have a thing about "earning" something. Remember?
He earned his grades. He earned the recognition for those grades. No one is taking away the honor of that. How exactly does getting the best grades make one most deserving of speaking? Because that's just how it's always done? Giving it for the sake of tradition isn't exactly earning it.
It's part of the "honor" of being Valedictorian. I can't help you if you can't understand that.
So tradition is how he earned it then. Got it.

And, the problem with tradition is WHAT exactly?

Tinydancer · Guru

Maybe he should tell them he's going to come out as gay in his speech. We know that always get's the PC crowd going...lol

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

FNW wrote:
He sounds like a loose cannon. His parents were loose cannons and they raised another one. Now he's trying to bully his way onto the stage. Sure, he earned it with his grades. Academically he might be bright, but socially, not so much. Or else he'd learn to temper his emotions and not mouth off. And the school is not talking because they can't. Privacy and all that.

What I want to know is, why is he just now graduating at age 19? I don't call that being ahead of his class. I call that being behind.

That's pretty unfair. I was able to start K when I was 4 so I was 17 when I graduated. Now, you have to have already turned 5 to start. And, maybe they moved to this country or maybe they held him back a year which is what some parents do. To imply that is somehow cheating or unfair is pretty pathetic on your part. Not sure why you have to try tear down his accomplishement? But, I forget, we can no longer give credit where credit is due to people who have actually gotten off their arse to EARN something. confuse

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

FNW wrote:
He sounds like a loose cannon. His parents were loose cannons and they raised another one. Now he's trying to bully his way onto the stage. Sure, he earned it with his grades. Academically he might be bright, but socially, not so much. Or else he'd learn to temper his emotions and not mouth off. And the school is not talking because they can't. Privacy and all that.

What I want to know is, why is he just now graduating at age 19? I don't call that being ahead of his class. I call that being behind.

Where did you get that?

flan

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

flan327 wrote:
FNW wrote:
He sounds like a loose cannon. His parents were loose cannons and they raised another one. Now he's trying to bully his way onto the stage. Sure, he earned it with his grades. Academically he might be bright, but socially, not so much. Or else he'd learn to temper his emotions and not mouth off. And the school is not talking because they can't. Privacy and all that.

What I want to know is, why is he just now graduating at age 19? I don't call that being ahead of his class. I call that being behind.
Where did you get that?
flan

She's really out there trying to denigrate his character for some reason? Funny how people LOVE to tear down legitimate accomplishments.

flan327 · Itty bitty's Grammy

I'm guessing it's this sentence:

My husband and I were both constantly, notoriously in trouble for talking out-of-turn — and especially for talking back to authority! — right up until our teens. Hell, in the 8th grade I was warned I was in danger of not attending an honors classes overnight field trip, for “disciplinary reasons.”

But, if you read on, these are NOT his parents.

flan

DemoniaD · Senior Member

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Well by all means, he got the grades, so who cares if he is the best candidate to deliver the speech? Heaven forbid we break tradition, and try to find the best qualified. We wouldn't want to hurt his feelings honoring him by recognizing only his academic achievements at the ceremony.

He "earned" it. We used to have a thing about "earning" something. Remember?
He earned his grades. He earned the recognition for those grades. No one is taking away the honor of that. How exactly does getting the best grades make one most deserving of speaking? Because that's just how it's always done? Giving it for the sake of tradition isn't exactly earning it.
It's part of the "honor" of being Valedictorian. I can't help you if you can't understand that.
So tradition is how he earned it then. Got it.
And, the problem with tradition is WHAT exactly?

That, in this case, the "reward" (speaking) it wasn't actually earned. The school puts on the ceremony for the entire graduating class. If they wish to bestow the honor of speaking on the honor student with minimal disciplinary infractions, and is best suited for speaking, what is the problem with that? What exactly is wrong with bestowing an honor on the most deserving based on merits and not traditions?

FNW · Guru

Parents "wait" a year when they think their child is not ready. Behind. Here, they must turn 5 by the end of September to start kindergarten. Parents were holding their snowflakes back until they were 7, so schools had to put an age limit. Must attend if they are 6. It got ridiculous. Red-shirting is what they call it. I call it being slow.

Let's say he's not slow. That there was another reason for holding him back, then he has a 2 year unfair advantage over his peers. That's tantamount to high schoolers vs. college age students competing for high school grades and accolades.

Sure, he has been accepted into Ivy League schools. But he also is of an ethnicity which enables these schools to meet their affirmative action quota. Not saying that is how he is getting in, but it's a consideration.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Wow, so much hostility. Go figure.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

FNW wrote:
Parents "wait" a year when they think their child is not ready. Behind. Here, they must turn 5 by the end of September to start kindergarten. Parents were holding their snowflakes back until they were 7, so schools had to put an age limit. Must attend if they are 6. It got ridiculous. Red-shirting is what they call it. I call it being slow.

Let's say he's not slow. That there was another reason for holding him back, then he has a 2 year unfair advantage over his peers. That's tantamount to high schoolers vs. college age students competing for high school grades and accolades.

Sure, he has been accepted into Ivy League schools. But he also is of an ethnicity which enables these schools to meet their affirmative action quota. Not saying that is how he is getting in, but it's a consideration.

Not sure what the "advantage is". I was one of the youngest in my class and I managed to become the Salutatorian. Soooo, yeah. And over 12 years, that really doesn't matter. HE put in the work, time and effort. But, if you want to tear that down out of jealousy or whatever, then have at it.

FNW · Guru

flan327 wrote:
I'm guessing it's this sentence:

My husband and I were both constantly, notoriously in trouble for talking out-of-turn — and especially for talking back to authority! — right up until our teens. Hell, in the 8th grade I was warned I was in danger of not attending an honors classes overnight field trip, for “disciplinary reasons.”

But, if you read on, these are NOT his parents.

flan

You're right, and I see that now. It's the article's author that was raised by rebellions. Which is probably why this article is written so strongly against the school.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

DemoniaD wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Well by all means, he got the grades, so who cares if he is the best candidate to deliver the speech? Heaven forbid we break tradition, and try to find the best qualified. We wouldn't want to hurt his feelings honoring him by recognizing only his academic achievements at the ceremony.

He "earned" it. We used to have a thing about "earning" something. Remember?
He earned his grades. He earned the recognition for those grades. No one is taking away the honor of that. How exactly does getting the best grades make one most deserving of speaking? Because that's just how it's always done? Giving it for the sake of tradition isn't exactly earning it.
It's part of the "honor" of being Valedictorian. I can't help you if you can't understand that.
So tradition is how he earned it then. Got it.
And, the problem with tradition is WHAT exactly?
That, in this case, the "reward" (speaking) it wasn't actually earned. The school puts on the ceremony for the entire graduating class. If they wish to bestow the honor of speaking on the honor student with minimal disciplinary infractions, and is best suited for speaking, what is the problem with that? What exactly is wrong with bestowing an honor on the most deserving based on merits and not traditions?

Um, hello. MERIT = Valedictorian. Wow.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

FNW wrote:
Parents "wait" a year when they think their child is not ready. Behind. Here, they must turn 5 by the end of September to start kindergarten. Parents were holding their snowflakes back until they were 7, so schools had to put an age limit. Must attend if they are 6. It got ridiculous. Red-shirting is what they call it. I call it being slow.

Let's say he's not slow. That there was another reason for holding him back, then he has a 2 year unfair advantage over his peers. That's tantamount to high schoolers vs. college age students competing for high school grades and accolades.

Sure, he has been accepted into Ivy League schools. But he also is of an ethnicity which enables these schools to meet their affirmative action quota. Not saying that is how he is getting in, but it's a consideration.

And his 4.3 GPA has nothing to do with it? Are you kidding me?

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
FNW wrote:
Parents "wait" a year when they think their child is not ready. Behind. Here, they must turn 5 by the end of September to start kindergarten. Parents were holding their snowflakes back until they were 7, so schools had to put an age limit. Must attend if they are 6. It got ridiculous. Red-shirting is what they call it. I call it being slow.

Let's say he's not slow. That there was another reason for holding him back, then he has a 2 year unfair advantage over his peers. That's tantamount to high schoolers vs. college age students competing for high school grades and accolades.

Sure, he has been accepted into Ivy League schools. But he also is of an ethnicity which enables these schools to meet their affirmative action quota. Not saying that is how he is getting in, but it's a consideration.
And his 4.3 GPA has nothing to do with it? Are you kidding me?

People love to tear down the successful LL.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

DemoniaD wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Well by all means, he got the grades, so who cares if he is the best candidate to deliver the speech? Heaven forbid we break tradition, and try to find the best qualified. We wouldn't want to hurt his feelings honoring him by recognizing only his academic achievements at the ceremony.

He "earned" it. We used to have a thing about "earning" something. Remember?
He earned his grades. He earned the recognition for those grades. No one is taking away the honor of that. How exactly does getting the best grades make one most deserving of speaking? Because that's just how it's always done? Giving it for the sake of tradition isn't exactly earning it.
It's part of the "honor" of being Valedictorian. I can't help you if you can't understand that.
So tradition is how he earned it then. Got it.
And, the problem with tradition is WHAT exactly?
That, in this case, the "reward" (speaking) it wasn't actually earned. The school puts on the ceremony for the entire graduating class. If they wish to bestow the honor of speaking on the honor student with minimal disciplinary infractions, and is best suited for speaking, what is the problem with that? What exactly is wrong with bestowing an honor on the most deserving based on merits and not traditions?

Yes, it is earned. The valectorian speaks at gradution because they earn the position of being the valedictorian. Valedictorian is chosen by the highest grades - always has been.

And if the school is going to change that - don't change it the week before graduation just because you don't like who earned the traditional honor.

FNW · Guru

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
FNW wrote:
Parents "wait" a year when they think their child is not ready. Behind. Here, they must turn 5 by the end of September to start kindergarten. Parents were holding their snowflakes back until they were 7, so schools had to put an age limit. Must attend if they are 6. It got ridiculous. Red-shirting is what they call it. I call it being slow.

Let's say he's not slow. That there was another reason for holding him back, then he has a 2 year unfair advantage over his peers. That's tantamount to high schoolers vs. college age students competing for high school grades and accolades.

Sure, he has been accepted into Ivy League schools. But he also is of an ethnicity which enables these schools to meet their affirmative action quota. Not saying that is how he is getting in, but it's a consideration.
Not sure what the "advantage is". I was one of the youngest in my class and I managed to become the Salutatorian. Soooo, yeah. And over 12 years, that really doesn't matter. HE put in the work, time and effort. But, if you want to tear that down out of jealousy or whatever, then have at it.

I was the youngest as well and did just fine. But I remember a year when I was put in a combination class because my mother did not want them to make me skip a grade. So there were 5 of us 5th graders put in the 6th grade class. The older kids picked on us.

My boys turned 5 in June and started kindergarten that year. They are in with a bunch of 7 year olds. When they come home talking about how so and so lost another tooth, or so and so is taller and is turning 8, I remind them that their parents, for whatever reason, did not feel they were ready to start school like everyone else.

Sure, I could have held my boys back, too. But why? They were ready. I felt no need to penalize them by making them graduate high school at 19 or 20.

FNW · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
FNW wrote:
Parents "wait" a year when they think their child is not ready. Behind. Here, they must turn 5 by the end of September to start kindergarten. Parents were holding their snowflakes back until they were 7, so schools had to put an age limit. Must attend if they are 6. It got ridiculous. Red-shirting is what they call it. I call it being slow.

Let's say he's not slow. That there was another reason for holding him back, then he has a 2 year unfair advantage over his peers. That's tantamount to high schoolers vs. college age students competing for high school grades and accolades.

Sure, he has been accepted into Ivy League schools. But he also is of an ethnicity which enables these schools to meet their affirmative action quota. Not saying that is how he is getting in, but it's a consideration.
And his 4.3 GPA has nothing to do with it? Are you kidding me?

How does one achieve a 4.3? I thought 4.0 was straight A's. Or 4's as our school system is on the number system.

DemoniaD · Senior Member

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Well by all means, he got the grades, so who cares if he is the best candidate to deliver the speech? Heaven forbid we break tradition, and try to find the best qualified. We wouldn't want to hurt his feelings honoring him by recognizing only his academic achievements at the ceremony.

He "earned" it. We used to have a thing about "earning" something. Remember?
He earned his grades. He earned the recognition for those grades. No one is taking away the honor of that. How exactly does getting the best grades make one most deserving of speaking? Because that's just how it's always done? Giving it for the sake of tradition isn't exactly earning it.
It's part of the "honor" of being Valedictorian. I can't help you if you can't understand that.
So tradition is how he earned it then. Got it.
And, the problem with tradition is WHAT exactly?
That, in this case, the "reward" (speaking) it wasn't actually earned. The school puts on the ceremony for the entire graduating class. If they wish to bestow the honor of speaking on the honor student with minimal disciplinary infractions, and is best suited for speaking, what is the problem with that? What exactly is wrong with bestowing an honor on the most deserving based on merits and not traditions?
Um, hello. MERIT = Valedictorian. Wow.

Um, hello, his grades merit him the honor of having his top grades recognized. No one is taking that away. Having the merits to obtain one honor doesn't make you worthy of them all.

FNW · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
DemoniaD wrote:
Well by all means, he got the grades, so who cares if he is the best candidate to deliver the speech? Heaven forbid we break tradition, and try to find the best qualified. We wouldn't want to hurt his feelings honoring him by recognizing only his academic achievements at the ceremony.

He "earned" it. We used to have a thing about "earning" something. Remember?
He earned his grades. He earned the recognition for those grades. No one is taking away the honor of that. How exactly does getting the best grades make one most deserving of speaking? Because that's just how it's always done? Giving it for the sake of tradition isn't exactly earning it.
It's part of the "honor" of being Valedictorian. I can't help you if you can't understand that.
So tradition is how he earned it then. Got it.
And, the problem with tradition is WHAT exactly?
That, in this case, the "reward" (speaking) it wasn't actually earned. The school puts on the ceremony for the entire graduating class. If they wish to bestow the honor of speaking on the honor student with minimal disciplinary infractions, and is best suited for speaking, what is the problem with that? What exactly is wrong with bestowing an honor on the most deserving based on merits and not traditions?
Yes, it is earned. The valectorian speaks at gradution because they earn the position of being the valedictorian. Valedictorian is chosen by the highest grades - always has been.
And if the school is going to change that - don't change it the week before graduation just because you don't like who earned the traditional honor.

I'll agree with that. Which is why I think there's more to the story than this biased author is willing to divulge.