An open letter to the Madison County Board of Education and Superintendent Matt Massey.

In high school, everyone has that one “thing.” From football to Junior Civitan, many find their niche and stay put–building friendships, skills and memories that will support them throughout the entirety of their high school career; all the way up until the day they walk across the stage. That day students are not permitted to show pride in their programs or their accomplishments … at least not with a cord.

For three years, I have been a member of the Sparkman Journalism program. Mass media at Sparkman is rapidly growing, educating students through print and online, yearbook and even broadcast journalism. Many students, like myself, join a mass media class on a whim and find themselves falling in love. Other Senators have found their high school homes in clubs such as Student Government or on the baseball field or marching to a metronome.

When searching online for honor cords, schools such as Alta High School located in Sandy, Utah appear in the results. Alta High gives students the opportunity to purchase cords for various accomplishments, including Business/Marketing, Tech Centers, Theatre and Visual Arts.
On their website, Alta acknowledged that “the cord is symbolic of the involvement and success … demonstrated within a specific department.” There, students can wear as many cords as they qualify for and each department is represented with a different color graduation recognition cord.

Sparkman High School, one of most influential schools in the nation, does not recognize the very extracurriculars that grant them accolades and recognition.

Alta students, and others nationwide, are allowed to be proud of their accomplishments. Why not us?

If I am paying for my own cap, gown, tassel, National Honor Society sash and honor cord, why am I restricted to only permitted cords?

Why is SHS Journalism, a program that has supported me and shaped me for my future, not a program I can represent as I walk across the stage in May?

We should come together to figure what can be done to honor students for their many achievements, not just one or none. It is time for the Board of Education to allow students to walk with pride for their programs and graduate with more recognition for what they have spent so many years working to deserve.