If someone is capable of earning top honors in their class, they're capable of writing a speech about their class's collective learning experience. What's the rub?
A
Alexandra Fernandez
11 years ago
I'm so proud of these Freedom seniors - it is democracy at its best.
A
Anthony Bohanon
11 years ago
Featured
Those actions to select a speaker who has not earned that right defeats the purpose of hard work & fortitude. So where along the line it has been forgotten what valedictorian stands for. To be little that honor shows true contempt for the word valedictorian. And that isn't excusable in any level.
J
Jayashree Nair
11 years ago
I completely support her cause. She deserves a chance to present her speech.
J
Julia
11 years ago
I think it is completely unfair that she is not allowed to make a speech. When I graduated from FHS there was more than 430 people in my class. And we had two speakers plus the commencement speaker. I think it is unfair to say the valedictorian is "too stressed" to write a speech. Also, it has been said that Shannon found out she was valedictorian almost in the beginning of the year. So, she has had plenty of time to write the speech, and the excuse of the student being "too stressed" is not applicable to this situation at all. As a person who is able to achieve this title, they would have tackled a whole lot of homework and would have had to cope up with so much more stress with AP, Honors, and extracurricular. The valedictorian's speech is a tradition across the nation, and should not be taken away from FHS. Graduation is a community celebration, yes, but this does not mean that recognizing the hard work of one individual detracts from communal celebration, in fact, the valedictorian often congratulates EVERYONE, and is a representation of the entire school. PLEASE LET HER SPEAK!
N
Noelle Smith
11 years ago
While I do not know this child, it is absurd that she would not be given the right to speak. She earned this right and what has a student speaker earned? Really? This has been a tradition for many years around the globe. What are they thinking?
B
Broghan Osborn
11 years ago
LET HER SPEAK
A
Anonymous
11 years ago
THIS IS SO UNFAIR!!! You definitely deserve to give a speech after working so hard. Way to fight for what you want!
J
Jayashree Nair
11 years ago
I completely support her cause. She deserves a chance to present her speech.
L
Lenore Ave
11 years ago
Let her speak, its her right
A
Amanda Campbell
11 years ago
Featured
I'm a 2012 Freedom graduate. I don't know you, but I support you and what you are doing! You both should speak, although I don't think they should have taken away your privilege and given to someone else in the first place. I'm sorry this is happening. Good luck!
P
Pray
11 years ago
dosnt lodoun county set some rules? Why this change in decision in few from the event?
Pathetic
Breaks my heart to even think of such a situation
Feel sorry for you Shannon
Hope you achieve your spot light
Kids study hard all thru the year and why would a 3-5 mins of speech be a problem to write for a bright student who represents the entire school
Come on! Lame justifications dont rule the society
Hope This girl wins the battle
R
Roxanne evans
11 years ago
Featured
The new system would overlook the introverts that earned a fair chance. This is just another way for society to embed compition- praising the extrovert. It teaches them that hard work isn't enough, you have to be amiable for the crowd. I am a disappointed alumni.
P
PREMAGOPALAKRISHNAN
11 years ago
hope Shannons precious dream which is truly genunie and worthwile is granted and she leaves the school without any heaviness in heart.
I understand school has decided a rule for a good reason
But lets not acheve anything by bringing tears in this girls eyes who has been dreaming this day for long
I sincerely request the authorities to make changes in their decision so that this girl and her family and the Freedom High School family students dont look down upon elders.
I suggest make an announcement for the coming year in advance as the school year starts instead of messing with a childs emotion all of a sudden
Thats rude and heart wrenching according to me.
No offecnce to anyone..
Hope the petition is heard
A
Anonymous
11 years ago
please let her speak
R
Rev. Jacquelyn Hollingsworth
11 years ago
Let Shannon speak.
T
Tara Skidgel
11 years ago
good luck!!!
S
Stephanie Balint
11 years ago
Let Shannon speak!
M
Marie Dean
11 years ago
Let Shannon speak! My son Hazen was also denied this honor last year at Woodgrove High School. These valedictorian should be held in high regard as our athletes are. Our society has its priorities so backwards. Let's teach our kids that the kids who work the hardest in school are the ones to hold up. We see articles about kids getting sports scholarships...how about academic accolades? I hope your appeal goes better than my son's did last year, Shannon.
If someone is capable of earning top honors in their class, they're capable of writing a speech about their class's collective learning experience. What's the rub?
I'm so proud of these Freedom seniors - it is democracy at its best.
Those actions to select a speaker who has not earned that right defeats the purpose of hard work & fortitude. So where along the line it has been forgotten what valedictorian stands for. To be little that honor shows true contempt for the word valedictorian. And that isn't excusable in any level.
I completely support her cause. She deserves a chance to present her speech.
I think it is completely unfair that she is not allowed to make a speech. When I graduated from FHS there was more than 430 people in my class. And we had two speakers plus the commencement speaker. I think it is unfair to say the valedictorian is "too stressed" to write a speech. Also, it has been said that Shannon found out she was valedictorian almost in the beginning of the year. So, she has had plenty of time to write the speech, and the excuse of the student being "too stressed" is not applicable to this situation at all. As a person who is able to achieve this title, they would have tackled a whole lot of homework and would have had to cope up with so much more stress with AP, Honors, and extracurricular. The valedictorian's speech is a tradition across the nation, and should not be taken away from FHS. Graduation is a community celebration, yes, but this does not mean that recognizing the hard work of one individual detracts from communal celebration, in fact, the valedictorian often congratulates EVERYONE, and is a representation of the entire school. PLEASE LET HER SPEAK!
While I do not know this child, it is absurd that she would not be given the right to speak. She earned this right and what has a student speaker earned? Really? This has been a tradition for many years around the globe. What are they thinking?
LET HER SPEAK
THIS IS SO UNFAIR!!! You definitely deserve to give a speech after working so hard. Way to fight for what you want!
I completely support her cause. She deserves a chance to present her speech.
Let her speak, its her right
I'm a 2012 Freedom graduate. I don't know you, but I support you and what you are doing! You both should speak, although I don't think they should have taken away your privilege and given to someone else in the first place. I'm sorry this is happening. Good luck!
dosnt lodoun county set some rules? Why this change in decision in few from the event? Pathetic Breaks my heart to even think of such a situation Feel sorry for you Shannon Hope you achieve your spot light Kids study hard all thru the year and why would a 3-5 mins of speech be a problem to write for a bright student who represents the entire school Come on! Lame justifications dont rule the society Hope This girl wins the battle
The new system would overlook the introverts that earned a fair chance. This is just another way for society to embed compition- praising the extrovert. It teaches them that hard work isn't enough, you have to be amiable for the crowd. I am a disappointed alumni.
hope Shannons precious dream which is truly genunie and worthwile is granted and she leaves the school without any heaviness in heart. I understand school has decided a rule for a good reason But lets not acheve anything by bringing tears in this girls eyes who has been dreaming this day for long I sincerely request the authorities to make changes in their decision so that this girl and her family and the Freedom High School family students dont look down upon elders. I suggest make an announcement for the coming year in advance as the school year starts instead of messing with a childs emotion all of a sudden Thats rude and heart wrenching according to me. No offecnce to anyone.. Hope the petition is heard
please let her speak
Let Shannon speak.
good luck!!!
Let Shannon speak!
Let Shannon speak! My son Hazen was also denied this honor last year at Woodgrove High School. These valedictorian should be held in high regard as our athletes are. Our society has its priorities so backwards. Let's teach our kids that the kids who work the hardest in school are the ones to hold up. We see articles about kids getting sports scholarships...how about academic accolades? I hope your appeal goes better than my son's did last year, Shannon.
Shannon should speak.