Staff Editorial: Unhealthy attitudes toward class rank divide students
Illustration by Yasmin Haq
On April 16, principal Scot Finch announced that the 2019 graduating class would resume being called with the top 10% in rank order. Despite this announcement, seniors are still divided on whether they are in support of or against this decision. The continued debate after the decision was finalized highlights just how unhealthy the student body’s obsession with rank is and how flawed students’ priorities are.
As seniors, students should be focusing on finishing their last year of high school surrounded by friends and looking forward to future goals, not initiating petty arguments and dividing ourselves based on our opinions about the calling of the top 10% at graduation. This animosity further reinforces how unhealthy students’ views are with rank. All students should be celebrated at graduation for their hard work and not be wrapped up in the students in the top 10%.
The reality is the majority of the student body does not care whether or not students in the top 10% are going to be called in rank order or not at graduation. This controversy only applies to 89 students, yet roughly 800 students, many of whom don’t care, are now having to deal with the drama stemming from the division taking place.
The petition that was made earlier in the month in response to the potential change in the calling of the top 10% further exemplifies how distorted students’ views about school and rank are. Students should not be so caught up in their pride and rank that they feel the need to draw up a petition and pressure other students to sign it. Rank defines absolutely nothing, and at the end of graduation, nobody is going to care what rank you were. Getting into arguments about rank is spoiling these last few months of senior year when, in the grand scheme of things, it is trivial. This is not worth the time or effort. As seniors, students should have bigger, better things to worry about.
The uproar over this issue shows seniors are missing the point: they should be enjoying the last few months left in high school and remember to think of the greater good instead of being wrapped up in pride and complaining about something the student body has very little control over. The last day of school should unite us, not divide us.
Anonymous • May 18, 2019 at 1:44 PM
I believe this article is simply igniting extinguished flames, exacerbating the situation, and misinterpreting the goals of the members of the top ten percent.
Graduation presents a rare opportunity for members of the top ten percent to be recognized for their achievements in their classes. These students devoted lots of time, challenged themselves with rigorous courses, and should be duly lauded for their endeavors. The sudden decision to not recognize the top ten percent is simply devaluing the time and effort that they have spent over the past four years. This is why the top ten percent is not pleased with this decision. Yes, students are more than just a number. But, to some people, their position in their class means something to them. It represents the time and effort spent over the last four years.
In addition, the article states that “this controversy only applies to 89 students, yet roughly 800 students, many of whom don’t care, are now having to deal with the drama stemming from the division taking place.”
The claim that roughly 800 students are suffering from this discussion is blatantly inaccurate. It is wrong for the article to assume that this issue is a disservice to the majority of the class when either outcome hardly affects their placement.
Staff Editorial • May 5, 2019 at 8:43 AM
On April 16, principal Scot Finch announced that the 2019 graduating class would resume being called with the top 10% in rank order. Despite this announcement, seniors are still divided on whether they are in support of or against this decision. The continued debate after the decision was finalized highlights just how unhealthy the student body’s obsession with rank is and how flawed students’ priorities are.
As seniors, students should be focusing on finishing their last year of high school surrounded by friends and looking forward to future goals, not initiating petty arguments and dividing ourselves based on our opinions about the calling of the top 10% at graduation. This animosity further reinforces how unhealthy students’ views are with rank. All students should be celebrated at graduation for their hard work and not be wrapped up in the students in the top 10%.
The reality is the majority of the student body does not care whether or not students in the top 10% are going to be called in rank order or not at graduation. This controversy only applies to 89 students, yet roughly 800 students, many of whom don’t care, are now having to deal with the drama stemming from the division taking place.
The petition that was made earlier in the month in response to the potential change in the calling of the top 10% further exemplifies how distorted students’ views about school and rank are. Students should not be so caught up in their pride and rank that they feel the need to draw up a petition and pressure other students to sign it. Rank defines absolutely nothing, and at the end of graduation, nobody is going to care what rank you were. Getting into arguments about rank is spoiling these last few months of senior year when, in the grand scheme of things, it is trivial. This is not worth the time or effort. As seniors, students should have bigger, better things to worry about.
The uproar over this issue shows seniors are missing the point: they should be enjoying the last few months left in high school and remember to think of the greater good instead of being wrapped up in pride and complaining about something the student body has very little control over. The last day of school should unite us, not divide us.