Just a few excerpts from an article by Michael Crowley, called “‘A’ is for Average.”

Some people think for every honor student, there is a kid with bruised feelings. And protecting the low feelings is more important than celebrating another’s high achievements.

In Nashville last December, some parents felt that the honor roll list would harm the self-esteem of some non-honor students, cause some to be ashamed or discouraged.

Suddenly most Nashville schools stopped announcing their honor roll. One school declined to announce the winner of its spelling bee. One principal was told he couldn’t release the names of high scorers at basketball games.

It has become taboo to celebrate success.

Kids began to fight back by bringing lawsuits. They were denied the rightful title as valedictorians.

Texas, Indiana and Kentucky have 10 or more, some schools have as many as 50 to 100 valedictorians.

Come again?

Competition has always been central to education. In the real world, results matter — whether you’re a house painter or an accountant.

To compete in this global marketplace, our students have to be taught to excel.

We seem to let one radical mind turn us upside down on just about any issue they choose. It surely is time to wake up.

I often think of the man who wrote: “Thoughts about being an American.” It was in The Mirror’s May 22, 2002, edition. He had served in Word War II. He ended his article with this paragraph:

“As an American, I have the right to wave my flag, sing my national anthem, quote my national motto, and cite my pledge when ever and wherever I choose. If the stars and stripes offend you, or you don’t like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of the planet.”

He had served with our Bill Stewart, who submitted it to The Mirror.

Thanks again, Bill and Dorothy, for sharing that with us at that time.

I’m sure many people clipped that one out.

— Aunt Norie, P.O. Box 265, Tonganoxie 66086; auntnorie@bdc.net.