Keep up the fight! It's great to see that you didn't accept such a lousy decision. You've earned your spot and you should absolutely have your moment. If the school can't figure out how to make this right, post your speech to YouTube and be heard by millions. Your story deserves to go viral. Good luck.
N
nancys
11 years ago
She earned the grades and the right to speak, and not just a few words.
S
S Ann Robinson
11 years ago
Graduation is about academic achievement, just as the Olympics is about athletic skills. No matter how small the margin, the winner is the winner. Celebrate Shannon! Not doing that sends the wrong message to students -- one that says political expertise is more important than learning. In a country that is fall behind in academic achievement world-wide, surely we want to focus on excellence in learning, not auditions for (what exactly?) !
J
Joyce Thompson
11 years ago
She earned the right to speak with all of her hard work. Let her speak!!!!!
S
Swetha
11 years ago
Freedom of speech !!!
M
Mehar Dhillon
11 years ago
She earned it!
O
Olympia Tisdale
11 years ago
She earned the right to speak and should be able to if she is the Valedictorian!
M
Mónica Malavé
11 years ago
LET HER TALK! She has EARNED it!
M
Mónica Malavé
11 years ago
We all work hard to make a change in this world and she EARNED her right to have her chance! I would rather listen to one of my classmates say goodbye and talk about the future then some random person that was voted in? How can you guys sit there and tell this poor girl that?
LET HER TALK! She has EARNED it!
Would this have happened in a Fairfax County School? Come on Prince William County Schools!!!!!!
K
Karen Quanbeck
11 years ago
I oppose the change to the tradition of graduation addresses delivered by the valedictorian and salutatorian to their class. I also find the administration's rationale ridiculous. I am quite confident these superior students can write, edit, rewrite, practice, rewrite and then deliver excellent speeches with 5 days preparation. In fact, I am sure they will be required to write similar essays, speeches and papers within 5 days during their college studies. Therefore, I think the administration must have other reasons for the change. Perhaps they're concerned about what the students might have to say?
G
Gajendra Bajpe
11 years ago
Racist
C
Carey Cunningham
11 years ago
As an outsider looking in, I strongly disagree with the school board. She is clearly this years valedictorian. Why on earth does the school have to change a long going tradition. Come on.....Really? Give Shannon her well earned RIGHT to give the speech. She should be the ONLY person giving the speech. I don't know you Shannon, but I wish you the best. Good Luck Shannon!
M
Margaritha Bajpe
11 years ago
Shannon had worked hard all these years. She deserves to give valedictorian speech.
A
Anonymous
11 years ago
Let Shannon Speak!
P
Pamela Taggart
11 years ago
This principal has obviously forgotten that education = academic achievement. "Student speaker" selected through auditions? Ridiculous. Give this valedictorian her time and speach!
A
April Mendis
11 years ago
I am surprised and disappointed to hear that the honor of speaking at graduation is no longer being extended to the valedictorian. The valedictorian's speech is a moment of celebration and inspiration.
N
Namratha
11 years ago
Let the vale speaker rather give his speech. But I personally feel Shannon should be given a chance as she highly deserves it. No one can change it overnight. It's a shame on the school. You people have proved and shown that you are perfect racists.
Fulton care to explain?
She earned this, let her hard work be recognized.
Keep up the fight! It's great to see that you didn't accept such a lousy decision. You've earned your spot and you should absolutely have your moment. If the school can't figure out how to make this right, post your speech to YouTube and be heard by millions. Your story deserves to go viral. Good luck.
She earned the grades and the right to speak, and not just a few words.
Graduation is about academic achievement, just as the Olympics is about athletic skills. No matter how small the margin, the winner is the winner. Celebrate Shannon! Not doing that sends the wrong message to students -- one that says political expertise is more important than learning. In a country that is fall behind in academic achievement world-wide, surely we want to focus on excellence in learning, not auditions for (what exactly?) !
She earned the right to speak with all of her hard work. Let her speak!!!!!
Freedom of speech !!!
She earned it!
She earned the right to speak and should be able to if she is the Valedictorian!
LET HER TALK! She has EARNED it!
We all work hard to make a change in this world and she EARNED her right to have her chance! I would rather listen to one of my classmates say goodbye and talk about the future then some random person that was voted in? How can you guys sit there and tell this poor girl that? LET HER TALK! She has EARNED it! Would this have happened in a Fairfax County School? Come on Prince William County Schools!!!!!!
I oppose the change to the tradition of graduation addresses delivered by the valedictorian and salutatorian to their class. I also find the administration's rationale ridiculous. I am quite confident these superior students can write, edit, rewrite, practice, rewrite and then deliver excellent speeches with 5 days preparation. In fact, I am sure they will be required to write similar essays, speeches and papers within 5 days during their college studies. Therefore, I think the administration must have other reasons for the change. Perhaps they're concerned about what the students might have to say?
Racist
As an outsider looking in, I strongly disagree with the school board. She is clearly this years valedictorian. Why on earth does the school have to change a long going tradition. Come on.....Really? Give Shannon her well earned RIGHT to give the speech. She should be the ONLY person giving the speech. I don't know you Shannon, but I wish you the best. Good Luck Shannon!
Shannon had worked hard all these years. She deserves to give valedictorian speech.
Let Shannon Speak!
This principal has obviously forgotten that education = academic achievement. "Student speaker" selected through auditions? Ridiculous. Give this valedictorian her time and speach!
I am surprised and disappointed to hear that the honor of speaking at graduation is no longer being extended to the valedictorian. The valedictorian's speech is a moment of celebration and inspiration.
Let the vale speaker rather give his speech. But I personally feel Shannon should be given a chance as she highly deserves it. No one can change it overnight. It's a shame on the school. You people have proved and shown that you are perfect racists.
Let's honor hard work