White Robes

By Rebecca Talley

For graduation ceremonies each year at our high school those students who earn a 4.0, or higher, GPA wear white robes. This distinguishes them from the rest of the student body and recognizes their hard work, sacrifice, and dedication over the last four years.

Our new principal wants to abolish the practice of wearing white robes at graduation because she doesn't want to make the other students feel bad. She doesn't want to make any distinction between those students who are graduating with a 1.5 and those who have earned a 5.0 (this can be accomplished when students take college level courses during high school).

What is wrong with recognizing students who have worked so hard to achieve such a goal? It doesn't diminish the efforts of the other students because not everyone excels in the same thing. Some are athletic enough to play on the varsity team, others do well in theater and are cast in the plays, and others are leaders that serve in student government. Isn't it wonderful that we all have different strengths?

We should celebrate each others talents and gifts. We should encourage excellence and hard work. We should find joy when someone accomplishes a goal.

Heavenly Father has not only blessed us with different talents, he's also blessed us with the ability to improve those talents. It's up to us whether or not we do so.

Here's to recognizing all the white-robed moments of our lives!