Shelby Spaniel is unhappy. She is a senior at Ennis High School. She's known since she was a freshman that she was ranked second in her class academically. She says that spot is hers.
Alas, she is no longer ranked number two. In January 2011, Ennis got a new coach, and he brought his teenage son with him. The son's GPA is higher than Shelby's. According to Ennis ISD policy, a student must be in attendance three consecutive semesters to qualify for the honor of valedictorian or salutatorian. The new student qualifies -- spring semester 2011, fall semester 2011, spring semester 2012.
Shelby's parents have hired attorneys and spent hundreds of dollars to contest the rival's ranking. They say the student must attend three complete semesters . . . which the policy does not state. Carol Spaniel, Shelby's mother, says, "The policy is clear. It's right there in black and white." Yes, it is, Carol. It says "in attendance three consecutive semesters" . . . not "three complete consecutive semesters." According to the policy, if he attended even one day in that first semester, he qualifies, because he was "in attendance" in that semester.
The Shelby's have exerted a lot of effort into preserving what they consider they are entitled to. There was another way to handle this. What if Shelby had said, "Wow, I have somebody nipping at my heels for that number two spot. I better start studying really hard and get better grades than he does for the next three semesters." Or better yet, what if Shelby had said, "You know what? Number two is not good enough for me. I'm going to buckle down and move up to number one." And what about the boy? Should he be deprived of what he has earned because Shelby considers a top spot her due?
No, Shelby, you are not "entitled" to a ranking just because you once held it. You better learn that before you join the workforce.
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