Reward the achievers

We heard some disturbing news this week. No, it wasn’t a murder or anything like that. It was instead learning that Bonny Eagle doesn’t choose a valedictorian or a salutatorian, or even name their top ten students in order.

Now, in this world of daily death in Iraq and BRAC decisions, a school system opting not to rank their students in order of academic finish may seem a small matter. But considering all the work these students put in over four years of high school and the nine years beforehand, it seems a shame that the school district has a policy of not offering the two top achievers the recognition they deserve.

The school system should definitely reconsider this long-held policy and award just desserts for these hardworking kids who have earned these most coveted titles. Obviously, the system knows who the top achievers are because they publish a Top Ten list every year. But, there’s a big difference between number one and number 10, and there are many reasons why the top of the top should be heralded.

This advice is obviously not coming from a previous valedictorian. (I finished 51 out of 189. Obviously these rankings are important if I, an average student, can remember his finishing order almost 15 years later.) Instead it comes from one who believes this country needs to once again praise excellence rather than reward mediocrity by dumbing down and equalizing all outcomes.

One more thought on this: If I were the parent of the child who deserved to be the valedictorian or salutatorian, I’d be miffed that the school system, for one reason or other, decided not to reward the top honor to my kid. Some long-held traditions should come to an end. Let’s praise excellence! What are we afraid of? Hurting the feelings of the masses who failed to finish in the top two? How about the feelings of those that should have been recognized but never were?

By the way, congratulations to Windham’s valedictorian Geoff deBree and salutatorian Mac Evans. Also, congratulations to valedictorian Catherine Achorn and salutatorian Bailey Morton at Lake Region High School. You’ve earned the recognition through long nights of studying and prioritizing schoolwork above all else these past four years. While football and baseball seem to gain all the attention, you are the real role models the younger generation needs.

The big day, June 14

This is a big week in Windham and Standish. Voting will occur June 14 in both towns to choose new Town Council and School Board members. As always, each person’s vote is needed to ensure the right people are chosen to lead our towns into the next few years.

If you aren’t a regular voter, please make time to vote this time around. Don’t leave it to the next guy. If your wife or husband’s vote counteracts yours, vote anyway. Don’t use that as an excuse. Hey, there’s a good possibility that he or she won’t show up and voila, your vote might actually mean something!

But, just remember that we live in a great country in which the ballot box is the foundation. It’s fun to vote and to make a choice of significance. It’s a little rush, really.

Just make sure you read our candidate interviews before you vote. Windham reporter Doug Wright interviewed about a dozen candidates and Peggy Roberts interviewed four in Standish. We have lots of information you may not have known about these brave individuals who have tossed their safe and protective lives into the political ring. For all they’ve campaigned and all they will do in the next few years in office, they deserve the voice of the voter to do its part and vote. It’s up to you. Be there or be square.

And don’t forget, there’s a change in venue in Windham this year. Instead of using the town hall or Our Lady of Perpetual Help as polling places, all voting is at the high school this year. That should make it easier for everyone. Plenty of parking and one centralized place. Simplicity. The only hard decision is who to vote for. And we’ll leave that up to you!

John Balentine

editor

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