At my son’s previous school, he consistently earned numerous academic accolades. He dedicates himself to his studies, remains focused, and consistently produces quality work. I’ve never had to remind him about homework or studying for exams. Yes, he’s exceptionally bright.
During the awards ceremony, the principal made an unusual announcement: “When we present the awards, please refrain from clapping or making noise. This is not a competition or sporting event. Let’s save our applause for the end.”
I was taken aback. My hands instinctively went to my lap, and a wave of sadness washed over me.
For my son, these awards represent his moment to shine. School is where he excels and invests his effort. He may never receive a trophy for scoring the winning basket in basketball, but he does earn recognition for achieving straight A’s or the highest GPA in his class. Sure, he could join extracurricular academic teams, but if those don’t interest him, his passion lies in his academic pursuits.
Why is it that we celebrate sports achievements with enthusiasm, yet overlook the accomplishments of academic stars? Isn’t the hard work of a student preparing for exams akin to that of an athlete honing their skills?
As the principal concluded his speech, I noticed parents around me putting their hands away and a sense of deflation spread through the audience. Students approached the stage in silence to accept their awards, returning to their seats without a sound. Occasionally, one parent would break the quiet with an enthusiastic cheer for their child, but I held back my excitement as my son walked down the bleachers.
I recalled the day he entered the cafeteria for his kindergarten orientation. He was so tall that they placed him at the end of the line. At the end of that school year, he graduated kindergarten still in the back, clutching a paper-plate award. Each student displayed their awards proudly, while his simply stated: “Enjoys playing with friends and cars.”
I found myself wishing it had read something like, “Loves reading and building intricate Lego structures,” or “Future engineer.”
Some awards may seem trivial, but others are truly earned through hard work. Why isn’t there the same level of enthusiasm for celebrating scholars as we have for athletes?
“Why can’t I just toss these certificates?” he asked when I encouraged him to keep them.
“Put them in your binder. You earned these, and I’m proud of you,” I replied. Reluctantly, he retrieved a binder filled with his achievements. I hope that one day he will rediscover that binder—perhaps buried in a box I give him when he graduates college—and feel a mix of nostalgia and pride.
These awards are no less deserving than a sports MVP trophy. It is essential that we celebrate the accomplishments of our intelligent youth. If we don’t, we risk sending the message that their achievements are insignificant, leading them to believe their talents are undervalued in society.
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In summary, it is vital to applaud academic achievements just as much as athletic ones. Our children work hard, and their efforts deserve recognition and celebration.