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Letters to the editor |
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Reader criticizes newspaper's school board coverage
To the Editor: Please officially update the score board to 250 in favor of The Sylva Herald to three in favor of the school board. By the way, I was under the impression that journalism was to be neutral. How could anyone be "in favor" of, as the paper put it, if reporting is suppose to be neutral and not present an opinion to be favored or opposed? In last week's paper, The Sylva Herald went above and beyond their call of duty and personally attacked not only the decision the school board made regarding graduation honors, but the members themselves. In the Ruralite Cafe column, author Lynn Hotaling said, "It's not personal." Unfortunately it has become so. Hotaling says the school board does not agree with the term "secret deal." She even gives other terms that could have been used such as "under-the-table-agreement" and ³confidential contract." She said, "But they are just words, and we donıt need to squabble over semantics when the real issues need to be faced." I beg to differ. This entire situation has been over semantics. When Jennifer Parker was placed on a "semester of suspension" (which is what I am assuming she has been placed on), it left May's graduation without a valedictorian as Jennifer had earned the title. The school board immediately acknowledged the problem and diligently began to seek an answer. Their consequential decision was to eliminate the titles of valedictorian and salutatorian. In place of valedictorian, the school board offered to allow the would-be salutatorian, A.J. Rowell, and his family to create a unique title to honor A.J. "Most Outstanding Scholar of the Senior Class" was recommended. The definition of semantics is the study of relations between a representation and what it represents. If I'm not mistaken, being presented as either a valedictorian or "Most Outstanding Scholar of the Senior Class" represents the same thing: the honor of being the number one student in a graduating class. Jennifer Parker has earned the number one ranking in the senior class of Smoky Mountain High School. A.J. Rowell has earned second. The rankings are not granted or awarded to the students, they are earned. Although Jennifer is not currently attending the high school, she will receive her diploma the same day as the other 184 other students in the class. She remains legally enrolled and therefore legally eligible for ranking. If A.J. had truly earned the number one ranking, then the rankings would reflect so. Unfortunately, he earned second place. A.J. lost a hard fought battle of academics to Jennifer. He has earned second place and has every right in the world to use the title of salutatorian, which he earned, at graduation if he so desires. In the Feb. 10 issue, The Sylva Herald printed several questions asked by Jim Rowell. His most confusing question was, "If someone is suspended and can't participate in graduation, why wouldn't you go to the number two? Why suddenly decide not to honor anyone." This is confusing because the school board did offer to allow his son to be honored, in any sort of way he saw fit. Did The Herald print that? Of course not. What they did print was over half a dozen letters to the editor and several editorials demeaning the school board's decision. If the tally really is 250-3, now that I have thrown my hat into the ring, why have we not seen the opinions of those two? A newspaper editorial said, "Our job is to be the community's watchdog... we here at the paper take it as a great compliment that people trust us to be their eyes and ears at public meetings." Sadly, Ms. Hotaling, who has been the reporter covering the majority of the story, has been reporting the story from her own point of view. What good is a watchdog if it only sees what it wants to see, or in this case, what sells papers? Jim Rowell, unknowingly, solved the entire situation in a quote given to the Herald early on. He said, "I don't question that if she's number one, and she graduates, she's the valedictorian." Well, Jennifer Parker is number one, she is graduating, and she is the valedictorian. And rightfully so. Sincerely, Joshua La Vere Sylva Justice needed on both sides To the Editor: Everyone here needs justice. There have been many letters of late demanding justice in the case of the valedictorian at our county's largest high school. I gather that what justice is may be in the eye of the beholder. I would advocate that we as a community of rational adults publicly come to terms as to what justice should be, keeping in mind the needs of two families under great duress at this time. One family needs this community and its leadership to be patient and wait for the due process of law to bring judgment and establish the facts that should be addressed by the community and the school system. Until this has happens, no act of redress, repentance or punishment is just. At this point, too much has already occurred that cannot be undone; perhaps next year would present an opportunity for a very capable young person to show us her courage and impeccable character. My prayers are with her and her family; I believe most of this community knows they need a timely justice and the justice one finds with time to move on. The other family needs justice, too. Put simply: if it walks like a valedictorian, talks like a valedictorian, and has the grade point average of a valedictorian, it's a valedictorian. If for whatever unsavory reason a valedictorian is removed from a senior class, the salutatorian must take on new honors and be validated as the graduating class's champion of excellence. This community has always maintained and draws to it newcomers who believe that talent, character and hard work must hold a place of honor and value. We strive constantly in a mass society that does not reward the best, that is why we must stand behind our young people and create a community that values its future. My prayers go out to a family that must have the justice of honor where honor is due. My prayers of hope and justice to a young man who should be told that this community praises you and knows what you have done; no person or persons can take away the truth of your achievement. This community needs justice. Please voice your opinion. Vote you opinion. Mel Kezzadak Sylva |
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