Revival of Honoring Valedictorian and Salutatorian at Chisholm High School

To whomever it may concern,

My name is Katelyn Landacre, a senior at Chisholm High School, and I am writing this in hopes to resurrect a high school tradition that was abolished a mere two years ago. This tradition is the naming of valedictorian and salutatorian at the graduation ceremony along with the valedictorian giving a speech on behalf of the graduating class.
There are countless reasons this honor should be brought back to Chisholm High School, but first I shall face the motivations for its elimination. Valedictorian and salutatorian are prestigious names that has been fought over by many students for countless years, including the year that caused the demolition of such recognitions at CHS. In the year in mention, 2014, two students were nearly tied for salutatorian, but a number in the hundredths place put one student in front of the other. Complaints were issued by one student’s parent and the problem was faced by eliminating there being any chance of an issue in the future. There would be no acclaim for the achievements of the students ranked first and second in their class, instead tassels would be given to all students with a cumulative grade point average at or above 3.677.
This system of tassels prevents one of the many things the honor of valedictorian and salutatorian helped flourish, healthy competition. This competition prepares students for competition in the real world, whether it be getting into college, getting a job, or getting a raise. The esteemed titles pushed students to work their hardest to be recognized academically, but the new system, on stage at least, shows students with a 4.15 that they are no different than those with a 3.677 GPA. Students who would prosper when competition was present may turn lazy as soon as they realize hard work will still gives them the same benefits as students who do not work as diligently.
Some may argue that singling out two students for having the highest grades is discriminating against all others, but this is simply not the case. Awarding the top competitor of the Olympics a medal rather than giving all athletes a participation award is not perceived as discrimination. Instead, it is viewed as rewarding the efforts of the winning athlete and providing incentive the athletes in years to come. This mindset should not just be present in athletics, but in academics as well.
Another reason some may want to do away with valedictorian and salutatorian is the fact that a handful of other schools have already gotten rid of this honor. These other schools are not Chisholm. Educational facilities are getting rid of these two honors due to the sheer numbers of those receiving the titles. It would take ages for twenty or even just five students at the top of the class to give a speech, and honoring each of them individually would only add time to their long graduation ceremony that sends off hundreds to thousands of kids. Chisholm is not a school that has hundreds of graduates in one year, but it does yield one valedictorian and salutatorian, and we should honor that once again.
In the unlikely event that there should be an exact tie, equal past the hundredths and even thousandths place, students should share the honor and recognition. If the title shared happens to be torn between two valedictorians, they should decide among themselves who will speak at graduation or leave it up to a class vote. Many would attest to the fact that they would rather share an honor with a well-deserving classmate than not be honored at all. For this reason and all those aforementioned, valedictorian and salutatorian should be recognized once again.