Graduation will be different at Salem Community High School on Sunday. For the first time, there will be no valedictorian or salutatorian.
The school board agreed a few years ago to phase out the honors and replace them with an equal honor for all students who finished with a 4.0-grade point average or better.
Principal John Boles says this year 15 students will receive recognition. Boles says students then submitted speeches, with a committee picking the top two that will be delivered at graduation at two Sunday afternoon.
Kailey Brubaker was selected to give the first speech which will be reflective in nature. Mataya Petrea was selected to give the second speech which will address future aspirations of the graduating class.
Boles says the decision was made to do away with the valedictorian or salutatorian which the board felt led to an unhealthy competition where students avoided classes they really wanted to take because they could negatively impact their grade point average compared to the advanced classes.
There will be a total of 139 seniors graduating on Sunday. One retiring teacher and administrator will be thanked for his service. Scott Steward has been on staff for a total of 34 years, 27 as athletic director.
