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I confess I am still nagging my former principal. Ten talented individuals just earned the coveted IB Diploma at Worthington Kilbourne. IB is a strenuous curriculum. “In the beginning of the year 2017, more than 1.4 million IB students attend more than 4,650 schools in 152 countries. In 2016, nearly 150,000 students across the regions received their Diploma Programme exam results. In the Americas region, the IB supports 2,836 schools offering 3,461 programs across 30 countries.” Newsweek
Worthington Kilbourne High School is one of the 4,650 schools. If the past is any indication, these ten wonderful kids will be forgotten just like their predecessors who achieved at this high level before them, while athletes who were coined with twelve seasons of greatness have had their pictures and names up in the athletic wing for the soon to be thirty years of the high school.
When a person walks into Kilbourne, and I am sure many high schools in the United States, the only distinction that is prominent is the accolades given to athletes. Think about this. When Robin Williams had those boys look at the pictures of the past in the movie Dead Poet Society, did he have them lean over to listen to the Carpe Diem of academic scholars? No, the pictures were of athletes. At Kilbourne, if a person goes into the doors of the athletic area, the first that person will see are murals on the door themselves of athletes. Standing in the hall, a person would see pictures, plaques, trophies cases, a wall of images of state winners, branding of the mascot, every team has a designated place for messages and a photo of this year’s team. The accolades take up every space available. There is even room for framed jerseys of the few who have made it to the pro level.
If a person walks into the front door, where there should be equal accolades of the academic achievements of scholars who have made their marks, there are two small, disorganized half wall trophy cases that have not been updated since 2005. There are no portraits of the past IB diploma earners. There are no distinctions of any of the young people who have earned high achievements in their fields. Last year the IB Diplomae individuals had their pictures up for two weeks to be replaced by the half dozen or so National Merit Scholar winners who took one test to achieve their pictures on the outer wall of the Guidance Center. They will also lose their distinction to be soon replaced but not remembered as their athletic counterparts.
Are there small cases for honor societies to boast their members? No. Are there small cases for traditional clubs who have done lasting things for the high school? No. Is there even a case where the student council can post the latest fundraising effort? No.
Credit should be given to the Activity Club who holds a poorly attended one signing for the students who have earned scholarships to colleges. But compare that to the multiple exclusive signings the athletes make that is packed with teammates and coaches telling complimentary things about the individual at the end of each sport season.
I will say that individuals who have achieved in life are brought back to speak at special occasions such as Honor Society Inductions, Socratic Society Inductions, etc. But do all the student body have the opportunity to hear them as when a former football player who made a pro team came to the school to give the school his new pro jersey? You might guess the answer.
Here’s my challenge to you. Go to your local high school and see what the school honors and get back to me. See what is on the walls and who they honor more – Athletics or Academics. Love to hear.