In today's Fort Worth Star-Telegram, there is a story about a high school student who was told he was the salutatorian, only to be told just recently that he is actually ranked fifth in the class. Apparently, school officials made an error in calculations. That is pretty bad. According to the article, this is the second time that such an error has occurred at this district in the past 5 years.
The student's mother is pretty mad. The family had announced the salutatorian honor to friends and relatives. The family's church had thrown the senior a party. The mother said the school district gets an F and that if she had any more children in the district, that she'd move. She also wants a public apology, wants her son to be named co-salutatorian (even though he didn't actually achieve that honor), and said, "They (school officials) don't know how humiliating it is for us to tell people he is not salutatorian."
Hmmm. I have a problem with that.
Here's the best part of the article for me: the student's reaction. This graduating senior will be attending Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and plans to become a minister. His reaction to this situation?
"Really, I don't want to make too much of a big deal out of it," he said. "It was disappointing, but I'm grateful that the one who deserves it was still able to get it."
Sounds to me as if this kid knows right from wrong. Sounds like he's a young man of justice and mercy. Sounds like he's learned a few things about integrity, despite his mother's behavior.
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God" (Matthew 5: 5, 7-9).
For the complete story, click here.
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5 comments:
What a mess, but yeah..."out of the out of the mouth of babes," and no wonder Jesus said to let the children come to him.
I can see the school issuing an apology, but let's leave it at that and move on, Mom. :)
Yup. That's what I thought. :)
No, no, no!!! Times are changing, son't you know! We should do away with the whole idea of valedictorian, etc because it makes others feel bad. Children should have a negative self image. This is precisely why elementary schools are joining the wave of organizations which chose to not give out certificates at all in order to not hurt anyone's feelings. If you ask me, what's wrong with society is that we should stop congratulating and recognizing people who have worked hard for long hours, juggling school activites and jobs to better themselves and their future. That would make the lazy ones who party too hard and mooch of adults have a negative self image.....
What a load!
How I've missed you, but what a blessing to still be able to "talk" to you (ok, even tho' I only read from you, and talk to myself..). It is summer again and my favorite time of year too (as you mentioned in a previous post). I will be out in the trenches with 3 groups of teenagers on mission trips, and hope to see more of the type of students that you wrote about here. Our mission theme for the summer is "Amplify" - the name of Christ and his message. I think this young man is doing that. I had the same gut responses that you did from reading the article (as we were still in the midst of finals ourselves). It's always easier to blame than be humble. Thanks for letting others read about this great kid, who may not have had the chance to see that there still are some great teenagers out there!
love you and still miss you...
cindi
Thanks, kc and cindi, for your comments. I appreciate them!
Love you gals!
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