Schools in Tennessee may not be able to publish school honor rolls because of an obscure privacy law dating back to the 1970s. It could also affect spelling bees.

It seems a few parents complained their children didn’t make the list and may be ridiculed for it.

How ridiculous is this?

First of all, some people are overachievers and will always make such a list. It’s true in high school and it’s true in life. We can’t all be managers or CEOs.

Some average students make the list because they are willing to work extra hard to excel. That’s simply the American way. The free enterprise system we enjoy in this country is built upon the principle that hard work equals success.

Other students, perhaps less than average academically, don’t make the list. For whatever reason &045; low motivation, poor test-taking skills, aptitudes which are in another area. Since when does such exclusion from a list mean others aren’t recognized for their efforts? Even in the adult world,

achievement is recognized with raises, promotions, certificates and plaques, promotions &045; all are symbolic of success and not everyone earns them.

The bigger issue as we see it is the insinuation that all students must be academic standouts to be considered successful.

Not so.

If that were true our culture would be sadly devoid of great music, art, inventions, to name a few.

Schools should offer plenty of curriculum choices to help each student find their niche. Every student has great things in them, they just may not fall in the area of scholastic achievement.

Parents and school officials need to accept that and discover the potential in each student. The adults in these students’ lives must work extra hard to help them find where their excellence and interest lies.