I read with interest that 16-year-old Anjali Datta of Grapevine High School, Texas, USA, has been robbed of her Valedictorian title despite graduating with the highest grade point in her school as well as in the history of her district.

Anjali Datta concentrating during a chess tournament

At first, she and her parents were told that graduating a year earlier would not harm her chances of being Valedictorian, so she went ahead and completed four years of high school in three years.

Now, the school is saying that she does not qualify for Valedictorian because she did not clock enough time at school. Hah… could it be because Anjali is of Indian descent? I was told of this “American Dream” but is it really there? Does it all ALWAYS boil down to skin color and creed?

So the title of Valedictorian has been awarded to another student, who also now has the honor of delivering her Valedictorian speech at the school’s graduating ceremony. Now, that is a BIG deal. At least for a 16-year-old, at least in America.

But then the award of this Valedictorian has always been controversial and there are times when the “teacher’s pet” has been awarded the title over a more academically qualified student. Bah…I tell you, I am so grateful to be rid of schools and teachers!