GAIL WHITE Pupils need honor and recognition for outstanding work

It is the work of a genius.
Have you heard about the school systems in Nashville, Tenn., that are discontinuing the custom of publishing an honor roll?
It seems the practice of announcing the pupils who have worked hard and done well in school discriminates against those who haven't.
After all, along with paying attention in class, turning in all their homework and studying in the evenings, these kids probably have some natural talent in the way of intelligence. Why should that be rewarded?
Do we really want to encourage and applaud children's natural talents? They might want to grow up and be rocket scientists or inventors or, heaven forbid, the president.
What about athletes?
Of course, the folks in Nashville will be looking into the exploitation of their sports athletes as well, I am sure.
Those youths who stay outside until dark, shooting basketballs into a hoop or don't come home after school because they're working out in the weight room, what right do they have to be written about in the sports section of the newspaper? Some of them (gasp!) even get their pictures published!
So they practice until they have blisters on their feet. So shooting a ball into a hoop feels as natural as breathing. What is recognizing their talent going to do to them?
Some of these young people might think they could play in the NBA or the NFL. Because of their name in print for their accomplishments, a few of them might even think their talent could take them to the Olympics. Some might even want to become coaches.
Yes, encouraging excellence in sports might cause some to share the love of their sport with the youth of tomorrow! Think of the damage they could do then -- encouraging hard work, dedication and big dreams to the next, unsuspecting generation!
When will the insanity stop?
Just think, if we don't squelch this "striving for excellence" shenanigans, one of those smart-aleck honor roll pupils might invent a VCR that everyone can program. A "straight A" bookworm might surpass the poetic genius of William Shakespeare. If we don't stop them now, without a doubt, some "magna cum laude" overachiever is going to find a cure for cancer and AIDS.
And if we keep writing about Johnny scoring 28 points in last night's basketball game, Johnny's going to think he could be the next Michael Jordan! If we act impressed that Billy hit three home runs in one baseball game, he's going to go after Mark McGuire. Those that have been inspired by their mentors might get the crazy notion to become the next Jim Tressel!
Yes, those geniuses in Nashville have conjured up quite the master plan. If they create an "equal" atmosphere for their pupils, their school districts will be happy, contented and, let's not forget, fair institutions for learning.
Fairness
OK, so a person whose talents and abilities are underdeveloped and unrecognized is never happy or content -- but, by God, it will be fair! (Oops! Sorry about the reference to religion. We don't want ANY of THAT in our institutions for learning either.)
Yes, and when the brainiac's parents start complaining about unfair practices in the sports arena (and they will decipher the correlation between the two -- because they're brainiacs!) the Nashville school districts will have to level that playing field as well.
In the end, they will have pupils trying to decipher the exact baskets-per-shot ratio while they are supposed to be boxing-out on the court. It wouldn't be fair to cut someone from the team just because they're better in math than basketball.
And the Geography Bee will be riddled with answers like, "The Great Lakers are in Los Angeles," and "Penguins live in the Igloo in Pittsburgh" as those sports-minded pupils are included in the contest.
Oh, that's right, there will be no Geography or Spelling Bee in Nashville. Someone would have to be recognized for winning. That would really be unfair.
Come to think of it, I wonder who will be the valedictorian? Perhaps every student will get up and give a speech on graduation day (make that graduation week.) Now that would be fair.
And when they are handed their diplomas, the geniuses running the school district might as well include an application to the nearest fast food restaurant.
Because young people whose minds and talents are not recognized and championed will aspire to become absolutely nothing.
It takes a real genius to do that to children.
Genius: a person who influences another for good or bad. (Webster's Dictionary)
gwhite@vindy.com