So Smart, And Yet So Stupid
	found on Yahoo written by ms_sue_collins, edited by George (Plastic) [ read unedited ] posted Sat 3 May 8:48am
		"Blair Hornstine, a stellar senior at Moorestown High School in New Jersey and the daughter of a state Superior Court Judge, is not happy with being chosen class valedectorian," ms_sue_collins writes. "That's because the school district has chosen two other students, with slightly lower grade point averages, to share the honor with her. Hornstine, claiming that sharing the spotlight with students whose grades don't match hers would detract from her accomplishments, has asked a federal judge to intervene. U.S. District Judge Freda Wolfson has set a hearing for next week. The senior is also planning to sue the school district for the humiliation it has caused her and will be asking for $200,000 in compensatory damages and $2.5 million in punitive damages.

	"Valedictorian lawsuits may sound frivolous, but they are not uncommon. In Hornstine's case, the issue revolves around her classification as a disabled student due to an immune deficiency, which means that she was exempt from physical education classes and spent a portion of her school day studying at home. Aside from the fact that PE grades are weighted lower than other classes, the school district contends that such a schedule enabled her to have a higher GPA than the other two students: 'After reviewing these issues, I was concerned about the fundamental fairness of the academic competition engaged in for the valedictorian and salutatorian awards,' Superintendent Paul Kadri said in a court filing.... 'The level of competition ... had been compromised.' "Hornstine, who has been accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Duke, Princeton and Cornell, aspires to a career in law."

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1.  $200,000 For Exactly What?   by MAYORBOB       at Sat 3 May 9:05am score of 3 astute     She is still going to be able to list being class valedictorian on her resume, not that this should mean much to a person who has already been accepted at so many prestigious schools anyhow. How's about the school, deciding to be absolutely fair about everything, said, "okay, we'll throw out the PE grades for the two other kids and see what's what." If Ms. Hornstine ends up in second or third place because the lower weighted PE classes dragged down the other kids' grades would then have to settle for salutatorian or just be able to say that she was in the top percent in her class. So how does she come by the compensatory damage total of $200,000? Don't even get me started on $2.5 million in punitive damages for the pain and suffering she is responsible for bringing upon herself. Tending to final details.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

2.  Re: $200,000 For Exactly What?   by Anonymous Idiot       at Sat 3 May 9:16am score of 2 brilliant   in reply to comment 1     Don't even get me started on $2.5 million in punitive damages for the pain and suffering she is responsible for bringing upon herself. This is why tort reform should include paying all punitive/pain & suffering damages to the court, not the victim. Abolish the Lotto mentality.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   37.  Re: $200,000 For Exactly What?   by eduardo       at Sun 4 May 12:16am score of 0.5 disingenuous   in reply to comment 2     This is why tort reform should include paying all punitive/pain & suffering damages to the court, not the victim. Abolish the Lotto mentality. Actually, Lotto is a great idea. All punitive damages should be paid into a jackpot — the state can then sell lottery tickets with a chance to win all or a share of the sum. Another model is that both parties at the trial should ante up, and then the winner gets to take home the whole pot. If you want to sue the school for 2.7 mil, you have to ante up your own 2.7 mil into the pot, and so does the school. After the verdict, the winner gets to take back the whole pot, so losing a lawsuit will always cost you exactly as much as you were hoping to win. If the defendant feels that the lawsuit is a frivolous, he should even be able to raise (I'll see your 2.7 mil and I'll raise you another 500k) and the defendant would have to risk an extra 500k of his own to continue the suit, else they fold and the judgement (and the pot) goes to the defendant. J'ai une petite amie avec des tres, tres grandes tetons.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   39.  Re: $200,000 For Exactly What?   by eeksypeeksy       at Sun 4 May 4:33am score of 1   in reply to comment 37     If you want to sue the school for 2.7 mil, you have to ante up your own 2.7 mil into the pot, and so does the school. That's could work if both parties were roughly equally rich, but it would make no sense if they were not. A poor person could not sue GM for anything larger than the poor person could afford to lose, and any award so small (a thousand dollars, maybe?) would be nothing at all to GM and hence no longer punitive. The other suggestion, that of giving money away to random people in a lottery instead of focusing it on institutions that need it, would simply be bad government.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   12.  Re: $200,000 For Exactly What?   by timnet       at Sat 3 May 12:02pm score of 2.5 interesting   in reply to comment 1     She is still going to be able to list being class valedictorian on her resume, not that this should mean much to a person who has already been accepted at so many prestigious schools anyhow. Exactly. And, other than getting into said prestigious schools, what good are your high-school accomplishments anyway? Once someone completes college (and, in this person's case, probably postgraduate work), high-school GPA and/or valedictorian status are nowhere as important as where the higher-ed degree(s) came from, competencies, references, transcripts, internships and personal communication skills. As an example, I chaired a search committee for a campus position recently, and if any of the applicants included information on what they did in high school, I don't recall reading it. The main considerations were: Is this person qualified, do they have the required degree and do we think they can do the work? The idea that a person being a high-school valedictorian with or without an asterisk is worth $2.5 mil is beyond ludicrous. "I feel like I wouldn't like me if I met me." -- Tegan and Sara   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

3.  What's the statute of limitations here?   by jefito       at Sat 3 May 9:19am score of 2 informative     I went to high school with a kid who pulled straight A's throughout high school. In everything, that is, but PE. His prototypical nerdishness and utter lack of physical ability prevented him from passing the Presidential Fitness Program one year...thereby earning him a C in PE...thereby keeping him from the valedictorian role he so desperately coveted. If Hornstine can make a case for reverse discrimination, then maybe my old classmate can get some punitive damages of his own. Sure it was nine years ago, but I'm sure we can dig up some DNA somewhere... Back on Earth, there was cheering. --Kerry Fray, "Gaia & Chronos"   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

4.  Spoiled Brat!   by mandigirl       at Sat 3 May 9:19am score of 1.5 compelling     In my high school, even students with physical and mental disabilities had to have gym — they just had a separate class with a coach that understood their abilities. She's lucky she got to sit her ass at home part of every day! Also, I think there's a general problem in choosing Valedictorians. I know in my school, honors classes didn't help at all — nothing was weighted. So, if I got an 89 in a college level chem class, and my friend got a 92 in the non-regents (lowest level) chem class, she has a higher overall grade than I do. It sucked to be someone like me who took all honors classes. I did fairly well and ranked somewhat high in the class, but there were many students taking remedial courses who ranked above me. Our class Valedictorian was an honors class student, now at MIT... but not all of them are at my school.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

79.  Re: Spoiled Brat!   by flastron       at Mon 5 May 9:24am score of 1.5 succinct   in reply to comment 4     I'm surprised that plasticians think that grades and the quality of the student are 100% correlated. In my high school, there was a cluster of us that were considered the smartest, but none of us had the highest GPAs. You can get a decent grade without doing a lick of homework, all you have to do is set the curve on the tests.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   96.  Re: Spoiled Brat!   by charlies       at Mon 5 May 9:23pm score of 1   in reply to comment 79     Wow! What a flashback! My undergraduate school had a requirement for a certain level of proficiency in a foreign language. I tested high enough so that I only had to take one year of German, but I was pissed off that it was required. Each quarter our entire grade depended on two tests. In order to pass with a "D" (since I didn't want a re-take) I had to score between 68 and 71 on a scale of 100. That took some real calculation, but I managed to do it all three quarters. Years later I concluded that a foreign language requirement really is a good thing, and I developed a real affection for those goofy German Romantics... We're fighting in a war we lost before the war began.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

5.  Hey where's my $200 G?   by David Flores       at Sat 3 May 9:27am score of 2 funny     I shared Junior class valedictorian with a guy whose GPA was something like 1/100th of a point lower than mine. Our GPAs were so close the administation decided to let us share the award. I can't believe I missed out on $200,000... not to mention the punitive 2.5 mil. GAFB and GAFB2   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

28.  Re: Hey where's my $200 G?   by random1       at Sat 3 May 6:26pm score of 1   in reply to comment 5     When was it? Maybe statute of limitations hasn't kicked in yet. Go for it! We can then write about one of our own here on Plastic.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

6.  Humiliation?   by Diversey       at Sat 3 May 10:03am score of 3.5 astute     This girl is suing the school district for the humiliation of not being valedictorian? And it's not humiliating to have your name in national news for slapping your school with a lawsuit such as this, clearly. No one would have cared if she wasn't made valedictorian. Harvard, Stanford, Duke, Princeton, and Cornell sure didn't. But even if she wins this one, she's going to have to put up with a lot of pointing and laughing.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

15.  Re: Humiliation?   by Conrad Bombora       at Sat 3 May 12:38pm score of 2 brilliant   in reply to comment 6     And it's not humiliating to have your name in national news for slapping your school with a lawsuit such as this, clearly. You have a point... she is not looking at future ramifications this may have for her. For instance, if I was some high powered employer looking for new blood from an Ivy League graduating class, I would steer clear of this one for fear she may be to much trouble. "Must be nice to hope for the thing you wish to want... Sure beats doing it." Strangers with Candy   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   18.  Re: Humiliation?   by Eric Blair       at Sat 3 May 2:09pm score of 1   in reply to comment 15     Yeah, you have a point. It's obvious that Blair Hornstine is an intelligent person who did good work in high school. But, now, what is she going to be remembered for? For being a little bitch? If she does not win her case, then all she has gained in this entire situation is the appellation of "bitch", an appellation that she might not like.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   27.  Consequences   by TheMCP       at Sat 3 May 6:08pm score of 2 succinct   in reply to comment 15     For instance, if I was some high powered employer looking for new blood from an Ivy League graduating class, I would steer clear of this one for fear she may be to much trouble. If I was some ivy-league admissions counselor, I'd presently be thinking very strongly about revoking my institution's offer of admission to her on the basis that this isn't the sort of person I would want as a student in my institution, because anyone who is going to overreact this badly over such a triviality doesn't seem likely to handle the pressure and stress of attending an ivy-league law school very well. End of line.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   29.  Re: Consequences   by wicked_sprite       at Sat 3 May 7:22pm score of 1   in reply to comment 27     Heh heh. Better hope she doesn't stress too much. You'd be sued...   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   36.  Re: Humiliation?   by eduardo       at Sun 4 May 12:05am score of 1   in reply to comment 18     But, now, what is she going to be remembered for? Remembered by whom? I am going to quiz you in 3 weeks to see if you have any recollection of her. On second though, you of all people will probably remember. J'ai une petite amie avec des tres, tres grandes tetons.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   67.  Re: Humiliation?   by barc0001       at Sun 4 May 11:59pm score of 1   in reply to comment 36     Well, she'll definitely get remembered by anyone with a brain looking to fill a position. It's common practice to do a bit of Googling on people who are shortlisted for it, and a Google will undoubtedly turn up a lot more than she would want people in that position to see. Why, just this week we were looking for a junior PC tech. I popped in an email address from one of the guys we had shortlisted's resume into Google/Deja, and lo and behold found out the guy's a serious porn freek by all his posts the the various adult newsgroups swapping and trading the pr0n passwords. It's a pretty small company, and a lot of the people there are very actively involved with their churches, so we felt he wouldn't perhaps be the best fit for the position after we saw that... But another of the shortlisters apparently likes to design Quake III levels. I like Quake III... See how this works? I'm sure some day our litigous friend will too... She better hope she wins and gets all that cash, since I very much doubt she'll be getting decent placement later in life otherwise.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   93.  Re: Consequences   by yddraig       at Mon 5 May 8:10pm score of 1   in reply to comment 27     Not to mention the fact that as an Ivy League admissions counsellor you might think twice before admitting someone who has proven to be litigious. The last thing a university needs is a law suit over something as trivial as an "A" that the student thinks should have been an "A+". Someone like this would be more inclined to file another nuisance/money-grabber suit. kind of a ddraig   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   98.  Re: Humiliation?   by Tomboko       at Tue 6 May 7:18am score of 1   in reply to comment 67     Why, just this week we were looking for a junior PC tech. I popped in an email address from one of the guys we had shortlisted's resume into Google/Deja, and lo and behold found out the guy's a serious porn freek by all his posts the the various adult newsgroups swapping and trading the pr0n passwords. It's a pretty small company, and a lot of the people there are very actively involved with their churches, so we felt he wouldn't perhaps be the best fit for the position after we saw that. Um.... and how did this tell you he wasn't suited to the job? Did Google somehow tell you that he had posted all those things from work at his previous job? Some people like porn a lot, but still manage not to talk about it to churchy old ladies 'round the water cooler. It's not so much the apocalypse. It's the humidity.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   77.  Re: Humiliation?   by FusionGyro       at Mon 5 May 8:07am score of 1.5 helpful   in reply to comment 6     I actually don't think she did this for the money specifically, but rather, because she wants to be a lawyer. I think she did this because she wants to be in a trial. Look at the schools she's applying to, and then read about her "something focusing on law" intended major. She also seems to have been one of those smarmy people who was so busy polishing her resume with community service she couldn't bother to come up with a life to have on the side. In short: over-achiever with no idea who she is apart from her grades and accolades is mortally offended by being made to share valedictorian, but primarily sees it as an opportunity to try something "focusing on law." Try googling her; it's really kind of amazing how much crap she's gotten her name on.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   94.  Re: Humiliation?   by silver222       at Mon 5 May 8:52pm score of 1   in reply to comment 77     Not only is she a lawsuit happy bitch, she's also a beast. There is a picture in the Studentrewards.com link...   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

7.  Too many   by indiaink       at Sat 3 May 10:13am score of 3 funny     I attended a large high school. The year I graduated I think there were four valedictorians and nearly fifteen salutatorians. This made for a somewhat awkward graduation ceremony as each of the four valedictorians spoke but were extremely limited in the time they were allotted. My school had tried unsuccessfully the year before to limit the number of valedictorians and salutatorians by making the entire senior class take a difficult English exam. They failed to eliminate many of the students in the running for valedictorian or salutatorian. But about half the senior class failed the exam and an extremely large number of students were forced to attend summer school to make up for the failing grade they received in English as a result. "Warning: Please exercise caution- mask and chest plate are not protective; cape does not enable wearer to fly."   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

8.  She wants to study law?   by Jay Mack       at Sat 3 May 10:45am score of 2 clever     OK. So I think lawyers, in general, get a bad reputation. But I think this lawsuit should be enough from preventing her from passing the bar. The last thing we need is another lawyer running around and filing ridiculous lawsuits. Check out www.hell-vetica.com link   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

21.  Re: She wants to study law?   by CoFenchurch       at Sat 3 May 2:35pm score of 3 succinct   in reply to comment 8     As an aspiring law student myself (albeit an older, non-traditional one), I think this girl should just be smacked. Or have her credit cards taken away. This is the very definition of frivolous lawsuit. Any reasonable person would conclude that she has suffered no damages whatsoever. I mean, come on-- the terrible humiliation of being accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Duke, Princeton and Cornell!! How does the poor girl stand it? She's just being incredibly selfish and nasty. Attitudes like hers are what make people hate lawyers-- and she's not even a lawyer yet.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   35.  Re: She wants to study law?   by eduardo       at Sun 4 May 12:02am score of 1.5 novel   in reply to comment 21     Or have her credit cards taken away. This is the very definition of frivolous lawsuit. Any reasonable person would conclude that she has suffered no damages whatsoever. In her defense (by the way, I hate the obsessive over-achievers more than you can imagine, but advocating for the devil is a full time position) — if you had worked for four years with the goal to be the valedictorian — and ended up having the highest average of all your peers, wouldn't you be pissed off and disgusted if the school changed the rules and gave the title YOU earned to some other 2 kids also? Valedictorian: The student with the highest academic rank in a class who delivers the valedictory at graduation. THE STUDENT — that means there should only be one. If I happened to be someone who gave a shit about this type of stuff, only to have my hard-earned title divided between me and two other people — I'd probably be upset. You don't become valedictorian by accident, especially is wealthy, competitive schools like Moorestown — undoubtedly it has been her goal for four years, and I have no doubt that it was a serious blow to her to have to share it with those who didn't do as well as she did. Needless to say, I am sure she's suing for the money. But so does everyone else who have ever sued anybody. You must be a really "non-traditional" law student if you think that somehow the girl should have her credits taken away for having dared to sue the school. The school should go to court, and if it makes a good case, counter-sue her. If not, then not. I don't know if having to share your valedictorial title with 2 other kids is worth 2.7 million, but there's clearly SOMETHING to it. J'ai une petite amie avec des tres, tres grandes tetons.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   41.  Re: She wants to study law?   by zelwyn       at Sun 4 May 7:38am score of 1   in reply to comment 35     You must be a really "non-traditional" law student if you think that somehow the girl should have her credits taken away for having dared to sue the school That's not what he said. He said "Credit Cards" (as in those things in your wallet that let you buy things..), not credits. Just a nitpick. Personally, I think that the other kids should set out to prove, in a Scooby-Dooesque way, that the precious young Ms. Hornstine doesn't suffer from CFS, prove it to the school, and have her and her parents (who by definition must be abetting this frivolity) sued for fraud against the school district and state of New Jersey (also known as "The Peoples Republic of New Jersey"). Say, I'd buy that for a dollar!   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   56.  Re: She wants to study law?   by CoFenchurch       at Sun 4 May 12:16pm score of 1 astute   in reply to comment 35     You must be a really "non-traditional" law student if you think that somehow the girl should have her credits taken away for having dared to sue the school. No, I said she should have her credit cards taken away, because she's obviously a rich, spoiled brat. And I said I'm an aspiring law student-- i.e. I intend on applying to law school when I finish my undergrad degree.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   90.  Re: She wants to study law?   by SerpentSkirt       at Mon 5 May 3:30pm score of 1   in reply to comment 35     The student with the highest academic rank Which is not necessarily raw GPA. A proper rank would take into account the mathematical lunacies of the GPA system. I have a friend whose school was not so intelligent as this one. She was in a dead heat for valedictorian but lost it in her senior year because her competition took fewer credit hours; the weighted grades earned by her honors classes was spread out over the extra (non-honors) class she took, making her final gpa slightly (.01) lower. Therefore, even though she had the same letter grades as her competition, because she took one more class she LOST the race. In reading this paragraph from the article: The two other Moorestown High School seniors with nearly perfect grades could not match her grade-point average, officials said, because classes like gym receive less weight in calculating the GPA. These two students may be in the same unfortunate position my friend was in: penalized for taking more "normal" classes. The article is vague on the actual GPA's earned by the other two, but if this is the case then I hope this girl's colleges decide she's not fit to attend. AND her father is a Superior Court judge. God help us. -SS   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   40.  Re: She wants to study law?   by GWare       at Sun 4 May 6:34am score of 1   in reply to comment 8     As a trial lawyer, I think I can put a few things into perspective. first she has zero chance of recovering punitive damages. The are not recoverable against governmental entities. Wheile she could sue the superindent individually and seek punitive damages, she would have to show he acted in callous diregard or willful indifference indifference to her established Constitutional rights. This would mean that every high school would have a student each year with a right guaranteed by the Constitution to be named valedictorian. Quite obviously there is no such right. Therefore she loses. The bigger problem here is that high schools grade on a 4+ system. So you get students with a GPA higher than 4.0, and they all want to be valedictorian. The reality is that this young woman was simply lucky, lucky that number 2 or 3 got a B is PE once upon a time. Old hippies never die;most become lawyers....Ware   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   44.  Re: She wants to study law?   by mandigirl       at Sun 4 May 8:59am score of 1   in reply to comment 40     Not all schools grade on a 4+ system. Once again, my high school graded on a scale of 100... and nothing was curved. I had all A's the whole time (mostly in honors classes), but I ended up with a high 3.* grade when colleges looked at me since my overall was like 93. It sucked, cause my lab partner in college got a HUGE scholarship (full scholarship + large stipend) because of her high school GPA of over 4.0. Too bad she was a dumbass and I had to do the work all the time. She also went to public school in Texas whereas I went to a very good public school in NYS. I never knew there could be that large a difference between states — a girl who NEVER would have passed half my honors classes in high school had over a 4.0 at hers!   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   85.  differences within states   by maml       at Mon 5 May 1:25pm score of 1   in reply to comment 44     Um, my public school in NYS didn't have honor's classes, AP classes, or publicly funded sports teams. The Valedictorian of what would have been my year (If I hadn't gone to a boarding school for the last couple years) took the basic regents courses, plus lots of shop. Several other kids had been being bussed to another school for AP classes, one of them snagged Valedictorian. Their grades weren't weighted, so... Anyway, the Salutatorian went to MIT, the Valedictorian to a SUNY (Cobleskill, I think). I don't think colleges are particularly impressed with the Valedictorian award. Well, Harvard might be, but Harvard College is a just a better than average liberal arts school with a huge pole up it's ass. I've blocked AI. I'm happier now.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   97.  Re: She wants to study law?   by charlies       at Mon 5 May 10:26pm score of 1   in reply to comment 44     Remember, mandigirl, that was before The Shrub had a chance to "build up" the Texas school system by cutting the budget. We're fighting in a war we lost before the war began.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

9.  my experience   by waterfowl       at Sat 3 May 10:49am score of 1.5 brilliant     my graduating class (of about 600) was given the opportunity to elect ten potential valedictorians (five male and five female) through simple voting. the school administration then got final say in who would be the male valedictorian and who would be the female. the honour was shared, yes, but along gender lines to be fair. i found it a very agreeable system, especially since people like me who had a high average but not quite the highest overall had a decent chance. this combined process (students elect and then administration selects) made sure that students who had high standings in a variety of important areas (in sports, in academics, in general standing with the student body and the faculty) ultimately got the honour. to thank the administration for selecting me to be the male representative (my average wasn't the highest overall), i wore nothing but knee-high red rugby socks and my underwear under my robe (which 'accidentally' repositioned itself in mid-speech). the 600 or so grandparents attending were not amused, to say the least. get your war on   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

16.  Re: my experience   by Anonymous Idiot       at Sat 3 May 1:18pm score of 3.5 succinct   in reply to comment 9     How wonderful to see an academic achievement award redefined to become a sexist popularity contest . . . won by an exhibitionist jock.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   61.  Where did this person...   by jbou       at Sun 4 May 7:01pm score of 1   in reply to comment 16     mention he was a jock? I guess they call you idiot for a reason. Arguments have no chance against petrified training; they wear it as little as the waves wear a cliff.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   86.  Re: Where did this person...   by Korovyov       at Mon 5 May 1:33pm score of 1   in reply to comment 61     I think the jock thing probably came from the fact that he was wearing rugby socks. Exhibitionsist and/or jock thing aside, the idea that the valedictorian can be voted in kind of flies in the face of the idea behind having a valedictorian.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   63.  Re: my experience   by Iamthewalrus3       at Sun 4 May 8:40pm score of 1   in reply to comment 9     Yeah, I'm sure that the mainly academic-oriented students were well represented in the popularity contest. And how, exactly, does electing along gender lines make things "fair." It sounds to me like it just makes things sexist. There are already so many things to be gained in High School from popularity and athletic ability. Leave the geeks something for themselves.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

10.  Who really cares about high-school anyway?   by karmia       at Sat 3 May 11:56am score of 3.5 interesting     There's something really screwed up about this girl if she is already accepted into top schools with some scholarships and is yet trying to appeal her high-school's decisions. Unless a person is content working at the local gas station or fast-food joint, what really is high-school stuff worth on paper (I'm not talking about the general "experience" here)? Although as a high-school junior I was accepted to a reputable university with a 4-year full scholarship offer (as well as National Merit), my high-school's hill-billy administrators did not allow me to graduate unless I was "physically present" in the high-school at least one more semester. (Mind you: I only had a few electives remaining, and the university I wanted to attend was about 2000 miles away). The reasoning of the administrators was as follows (and, they voiced it was such by the way): If they were to let me graduate without completing my senior year, then they'd have to do the same to those students who wanted to get out of high-school early either to start working or to go into the local vocational school. And, if that happenned, then of course the school wouldn't get as much funding. Uh huh. My parents tried to appeal the decision but eventually didn't think it's worth it to keep trying. I never thought it was worth it in the first place... Let's see now: I graduated college in four years with a double major, and now I'm a second year PhD student about to (hopefully!) pass the quals (automatically getting an MS) and continue with really interesting research. Not having a high-school diploma has never hindered me in anything I have wanted to do academically, professionally, or otherwise. After this, I hope to be a professor someday. I actually think that it'd be kind of cool to be a professor without having a high-school degree. It's like me "schooling" those idiot administrators then... And, now again, in general: It's not as if there aren't a zillion universities, community colleges, or vocational schools in the U.S. of A. so that it's almost impossible to get any post-high-school education (like in some other countries) or like there isn't any way to get funding for education (e.g. all sorts of scholarships and ample loans). Poverty-stricken neighborhoods aside, almost everyone in the U.S. can easily get some sort of post-high-school education. And, it would generally be wise for them to do so [at the least considering the job-market] anyway. So, I really don't get why people care at all whether they were Valedictorians or Salutatorians or Blahblahblahtorians in high-school (except to get into a post-high-school institution). If you don't have anything more accomplished after high-school, that's pretty sad anyway, ain't it? "One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star." -- Friedrich Nietzsche   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

11.  I don't get it   by monkihed       at Sat 3 May 11:57am score of 5 astute     Somebody should have taught this girl how to share. No one took away the big "V," she's just going to be on stage with other kids who earned it, too. I think those kids should sue her for humiliation. I can't wait 'til I'm old enough to feel ways about stuff.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

25.  Re: I don't get it   by ms_sue_collins       at Sat 3 May 5:03pm score of 1.5 succinct   in reply to comment 11     I think those kids should sue her for humiliation. And what about the school district --i.e., the taxpayers — which may have to defend itself from her needless self-aggrandizement? Even if the lawsuit doesn't materialize, the district will have already spent time and money on this issue that should have been directed toward education. I just have to wonder what role her parents have played in this little drama. I hope that they have bent over backwards trying to talk her out of such frivolity. But the armchair analyst in me says otherwise. It's a dog's life   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

13.  Her dad is a judge?   by Wang       at Sat 3 May 12:19pm score of 2.5 clever     A lawyer, maybe, but a judge? That's just sad. With any luck, this Tracey Flick will get her comeuppance in the Ivy League--probably by way of a student election fundraising scandal.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

46.  Re: Her dad is a judge?   by Lemmy Caution       at Sun 4 May 9:02am score of 1.5 interesting   in reply to comment 13     Her father is reported to have said that he doesn't care who he hurts, he's determined to advance the best interests of his daughter. I have always tended to distrust people with families: it's my belief that otherwise ethical, even altruistic people lose all sense of moral compass when it comes to boostering their families. It seems the Borgia syndrome is alive and well.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   80.  Re: Her dad is a judge?   by flastron       at Mon 5 May 9:32am score of 1   in reply to comment 46     whoa whoa whoa... she studies at home because she has chronic fatigue? And she expects to go to law school?!? I'd say she'll never make it through, if I wasn't ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE she faked diagnosis to get a preferential academic environment. Heck, I thought that before the quotes from her dad about manipulating the law for her. He should be disbarred. The law is not to be used for his personal convenience because he is able.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   88.  Re: Her dad is a judge?   by Ouisch       at Mon 5 May 2:30pm score of 1   in reply to comment 46     Several adult residents also endorsed the district's position during interviews, but Chad Javier, 31, a waiter from Evesham, supported Hornstine. Next time you find yourself on the horns of a dilemma, ask yourself "What would Chad Javier do?"   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   89.  Re: Her dad is a judge?   by hob_gad       at Mon 5 May 2:53pm score of 1   in reply to comment 46     There's a quote buried at the bottom of your link that just made me laugh out loud; I nearly snarfed a cookie on my monitor. After listing quote after quote from fellow Moorsetown students and faculty members supporting the district's decision, there's this beauty of a quote: Several adult residents also endorsed the district's position during interviews, but Chad Javier, 31, a waiter from Evesham, supported Hornstine. "Only one person can be the winner," he reasoned. "You don't have 1 and 1A." I know I'm being a bit ultra-snarky here, but who the hell cares what some thirty-year old waiter has to say about school district policies. 1 and 1A. Chad, just shut up and refill my drink. (Advanced apologies to my fellow plastards who are currently muddling through a service job. I, too, have had to do so before, but the I couldn't help laughing at the article.) I grew up in '80s America. That's why I have that Nietzschean blackness that I can access so well. - John Cusak   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   95.  Re: Her dad is a judge?   by yddraig       at Mon 5 May 8:57pm score of 1   in reply to comment 46     I think the subtext of his quote can be summed up by: for "daughter" substitute "wallet". Daddy's little dividend. kind of a ddraig   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   68.  Re: Her dad is a judge?   by zaydoun       at Mon 5 May 1:16am score of 1 obnoxious   in reply to comment 13     I was imagining Reese Witherspoon all along before getting to your post. This story just begs to be made into a movie, or at least an episode of high-school era Buffy. The little cunt would turn out to be vampire spawn, and the Buffster would slay her ass to kingdom come!! Ziad http://kuwait-unplugged.com   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

14.  that evil bitch   by captainebo       at Sat 3 May 12:27pm score of 1.5 interesting     I'm reminded of a classmate of mine who was selected (at the time club presidents were chosen by the club sponsor) president of our high school speech and debate club. Senior year rolled around, the school changed its policy mind-year to an election process for club leaders, and the president actually had the good heart to approach me (then the vice-president) and say, "hey, I know you're applying to college too, and president looks better than vice-president, so why don't we both be president?" Everyone in the club knew why I got promoted (and voted for it) and no one cared, because we all realized that whatever boost he got from writing "president" on his would not be diminished if I did the same. Time passed, we've both graduated from fairly prestigious colleges, and everyone is just a little happier for it. That this evil bitchmonster is hording the title, even wasting government funds with a frivolous lawsuit, is outrageous. Next year I'm going to be at Duke Law School, I hope she joins me in Durham so we can kick her ass. Then again, I probably should say that. Bitch will likely find my post on Plastic and sue me for terroristic threatening. Ebo "In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds." -Martin Luther King   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

22.  Re: that evil bitch   by Diversey       at Sat 3 May 4:13pm score of 1 funny   in reply to comment 14     Fair warning: you're probably going to end up doing a lot of ass-kicking next year at Duke. I suggest you start off by looking for a white guy in a long skirt (he has a webpage, but I'm not going to provide the link in case he comes after my own ass). The long skirt is called a dhoti, and he wears them every day, everywhere, even on his bike. Anyway, he originally enrolled in the Master of Arts in Teaching program at Duke, but ran into a little bit of a snag because — guess what — public schools have dress codes. Dress codes that do not include dhotis. He insisted on wearing dhotis to his student-teaching internship, and the program tried in earnest to find a school that would accommodate him. Nobody wanted him, so he decided to sue. Bear in mind that this was not a religious or cultural custom for him; he just hated wearing pants. He didn't end up taking it to court because the program finally found a school that would accept him. (FYI, despite his insistence on wearing a dhoti while teaching, he managed to find a pair of pants for the interview). He lasted all of one day. Duke decided to smooth things over by transferring him to Computer Science — as far as I know, he got a free ride. Watch out, though, when you kick his ass: I have it on good authority that he doesn't wear underpants.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   60.  Re: that evil bitch   by sivapith       at Sun 4 May 3:55pm score of 1   in reply to comment 22     Is this him? I'd definitely kick that ass. This is my sig. There are many like it, but this one is mine.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   83.  Re: that evil bitch   by crickette       at Mon 5 May 11:45am score of 1   in reply to comment 22     I worked at Duke for 2 years... I think I've seen that guy!   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   23.  Re: that evil bitch   by PD       at Sat 3 May 4:20pm score of 1.5 helpful   in reply to comment 14     Perhaps we should write to our schools and ask them nicely to revoke her offer of admission. I know that my university has an "Fundamental Standard," which I could contend was broken by Hornstine's actions. If she does end up here I hope that I never see her in any of my classes. I bet she'll be one of the students who comes to office hours yells at me and threatening to sue for "giving her" an A-.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

17.  Honors inflation?   by cloudzeye       at Sat 3 May 1:39pm score of 1     The honor is devalued due to grade inflation and she should be compensated for the devaluation with money? Maybe I should sue my alma mater for all those honorary degrees they hand out. If Jesus died for MY sins he over reacted   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

19.  Re: Honors inflation?   by mandigirl       at Sat 3 May 2:33pm score of 1   in reply to comment 17     Or for all the meathead jocks who get degrees. I had a Spanish Class at LSU with one of the baseball players. The class had required attendance (you could miss 2 before your grade suffered). I think he came to class 4 times the whole semester, and he never handed in homework when the rest of us did. However, he somehow passed the class. Imagine that!   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

24.  What is the end here?   by Autocharismatic       at Sat 3 May 4:24pm score of 1.5 nuanced     Alright, so I could understand Miss Hornstine's issue with the valedictorian tag if there was a valid reason for her complaint. If she felt that being the sole valedictorian would help her get into a college, or even just receive financial assistance, then I would understand her argument. But she's already been accepted to the best colleges in the country, and being that it's after May 1st (deadline day for choosing your school) I don't think finances are coming in to play. So it begs the question of why this kid (and/or her parents) feel the need to validate their sense of superiority. Remember, this girl does have a health disability that she's overcome to finish with perfect grades in school. Why is that she's not satisfied with her own admittedly substantial accomplishments and instead feels the need to take something away from another? And, instead of being one of three valedictorians, and being the one that's cheered the most when taking her turn to speak because everybody knows about this disability and what she's overcome, Miss Hornstine will instead be roundly booed for three times as long as she'd be cheered for, and deservedly so. Good call. There's a man holding a megaphone, he must have been the voice of God.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

34.  Re: What is the end here?   by eduardo       at Sat 3 May 11:47pm score of 1.5 helpful   in reply to comment 24     What is the end here? Uhm, did you miss the part about $2,700,000 she's suing for? J'ai une petite amie avec des tres, tres grandes tetons.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

26.  Just in the nick of time!   by tomc       at Sat 3 May 5:31pm score of 2 witty     What a break! Harvard, Stanford, Duke, Princeton and Cornell now know what kind of shenanigans Blair might be able to dream up once she decides to enrol in their schools. If they're smart, they'll withdraw their offers. "Oh, sorry! Administrative error! (Phew!)" betwixt No Pussyfooting   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

33.  Re: Just in the nick of time!   by eduardo       at Sat 3 May 11:44pm score of 1.5 astute   in reply to comment 26     Oh yea, right. "If they're smart, they're going to give the girl a valid reason to sue them." J'ai une petite amie avec des tres, tres grandes tetons.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   58.  Re: Just in the nick of time!   by tomc       at Sun 4 May 1:51pm score of 1.5 compelling   in reply to comment 33     Administrative errors happen all the time. And this kid is a disaster waiting to happen. betwixt No Pussyfooting   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   78.  Re: Just in the nick of time!   by Adipic Acid       at Mon 5 May 8:23am score of 1   in reply to comment 58     Administrative errors happen all the time. So do lawsuits. No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Churchill   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   84.  Re: Just in the nick of time!   by tomc       at Mon 5 May 11:53am score of 1   in reply to comment 78     Sure they do. But you have to do a risk analysis: what's most economical, dealing with the problem now, probably safely, or dealing with God knows what later, once this devil's spawn is ensconced as part of the institution? betwixt No Pussyfooting   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

30.  The Price of a Valdictorian.   by Chef       at Sat 3 May 8:41pm score of 1.5 interesting     I admit that I'm taking this opportunity to brag a bit, but both of my Sons graduated valdictorian of their respective classes. After reading this I feel a bit miffed that their highschool didn't force them to share the honor with anyone. I didn't know that being highschool valdictorian was worth $200,000. The boys could have been $400,000 plus $5,000,000 richer and my oldest wouldn't be driving a rusted out 1989 Chrysler La Baron with no rear view mirror while he tries to pay off his college loans with a degree in creative writing! Maybe they could sue the school for not giving them the opportunity to sue the school. If Ms Hornstine wins her suit she will have a fine start in the law business. I wonder if she has any younger siblings that will have to endure larger classes or old text books so the school can work the judgement into its budget? Well no matter. mmmm??? I wonder how much being a sargent was worth. Maybe I could sue the Army for having had to share the rank with so many others! Even if I only got a buck per other sargent I could probably pay off the house. Dissent is not a right, it's an obligation.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

32.  Re: The Price of a Valdictorian.   by eduardo       at Sat 3 May 11:39pm score of 1   in reply to comment 30     and my oldest wouldn't be driving a rusted out 1989 Chrysler La Baron with no rear view mirror while he tries to pay off his college loans with a degree in creative writing! If you want me to feel bad for your kid, don't tell me he allowed a beautiful car go to shit because he doesn't do body maintenance. J'ai une petite amie avec des tres, tres grandes tetons.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   51.  Re: The Price of a Valdictorian.   by Chef       at Sun 4 May 10:56am score of 1   in reply to comment 32     Please, there is no need to feel sorry for him. He's an "artist" and would rather write poetry then drive a nice car. As for the car, it came that way. Dissent is not a right, it's an obligation.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

31.  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, eh?   by CoFenchurch       at Sat 3 May 10:05pm score of 2 intriguing     From what Kadri says in this article about remarks made to him by the girl's father, I have to wonder if the whole "chronic fatigue syndrome" deal was just a ruse to ensure she became valedictorian. The article says that by being allowed to take classes at home due to her "disability", she was able to take more AP classes than her non-disabled peers, avoid non-weighted PE classes, and avoid teachers who were reluctant to give A+'s in AP classes. If her CFS was truly so severe that she could not attend high school, how can she expect to keep up with the rigors of an Ivy League college, or a top law school? Or with being a lawyer? Sounds to me like the parents saw an opportunity to manipulate the system by having their daughter classified "disabled", and took it. Perhaps they had a doctor freind who was willing to say the girl was disabled, or the girl convinced a doctor she was.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

38.  Re: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, eh?   by Autocharismatic       at Sun 4 May 12:40am score of 1   in reply to comment 31     I think I changed my mind about one of the answers I gave to that political compass quiz three threads over. Some people (Mr. Hornstine) really just need to die. There's a man holding a megaphone, he must have been the voice of God.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   49.  I just dropped my coffee   by josebear       at Sun 4 May 10:09am score of 1.5 informative   in reply to comment 31     Here is the disability Hornstine suffers from. With the right doctor, or the right dad, anybody can have CFS.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   65.  Re: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, eh?   by blisspix       at Sun 4 May 11:38pm score of 1   in reply to comment 31     I have friends with CFS, and in class or not, if they are feeling ill, they can't do a damn thing besides wake up each day. It is a terrible, debilitating condition that can be very unpredictable. I know a girl with CFS who has been doing her undergrad for 8 years because when it strikes, she has to start a whole semester over again. It is so offensive that people are making up a disability to gain an advantage. Perhaps those who really do have CFS should sue her for giving them a bad name.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   69.  Re: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, eh?   by CoFenchurch       at Mon 5 May 1:16am score of 1.5 scholarly   in reply to comment 65     Last year she won a $25,000 scholarship and and article in a South Jersey paper listed her numerous, numerous activities . Sure doesn't sound like someone with chronic fatigue syndrome to me!   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   71.  Re: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, eh?   by blisspix       at Mon 5 May 1:34am score of 1   in reply to comment 69     Ick — "People who don't have enough money often get pushed aside in the legal system." uh-huh. As for her 'achievements', doesn't she know that modesty is like, a really good value? The article also says — "...accomplishments and honors that seems way too long and ambitious for someone who has a year to go before graduating." What's to bet she made some of them up? No-one has as much time to do all she claims to have done.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   75.  Re: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, eh?   by stevetherobot       at Mon 5 May 7:20am score of 1   in reply to comment 31     One article I found said she had an immune-system disorder similar to chronic fatigue syndrome. I do find it interesting that this disorder "made it impossible for her to attend most of her classes at the school", but did not prevent her from being an Olympic torch bearer in 2001. (Hit ctrl-f and search the page for Blair Hornstine).   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

42.  Big picture   by Zoea       at Sun 4 May 8:04am score of 1     I'm glad this thread has allowed so many people to casually mention their high school class ranking. Just for a second, let's try to remember that valedictorians, class rankings and even grades are all just bureaucratic comparative measures of how much the student has actually learned. In the end, there are a lot more important things to learn in high school than academic subjects, such as how to be kind, and Ms. Hornstine has clearly failed at this.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

43.  God...   by srbosillos       at Sun 4 May 8:16am score of 1 obnoxious     ...what a bitch!   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

45.  Physical Education   by javaman83       at Sun 4 May 9:00am score of 1     I don't think P.E. has any place in our schools anyways. You guys are a notorious bunch of liberals, so don't you think that P.E. is discriminatory against people with bad genetics?   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

47.  Re: Physical Education   by swalve       at Sun 4 May 9:42am score of 1   in reply to comment 45     Look, I'm the biggest dork there ever was, but you have to do more than have bad genetics to fail gym class. What, 10 pushups? 30 situps? Bench press half of your body weight? ANYONE should be able to do that, unless they have an actual medical condition that says otherwise. PE, in the old "dodgeball" style, is useless and stupid. But looking at how fat kids are getting, it seems to me that some form of PE is necessary more than ever. "If silence is golden, you couldn't raise a dime!"   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   50.  Re: Physical Education   by Anywhere       at Sun 4 May 10:45am score of 1   in reply to comment 47     I think it depends on your school, really. In mine, for instance, the PE grade didn't even count towards your cumulative average and you were only graded on whether or not you changed clothes and participated. Gateway computers are pieces of shit, and their customer service is abysmal. Ask me why if you want to hear me vent.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   52.  Re: Physical Education   by Chef       at Sun 4 May 11:12am score of 1   in reply to comment 47     I hated PE except for the days on which we played dodge ball. I think those days happened when Mr Zimmerman couldn't think of anything else to do. But I don't think that it was useless. The skill of dodging may be a valuable tool in these days of unexpected terrorist attack! Oh, and I wasn't fat when I played dodge bullet in Vietnam. I have gotten fat since I stopped dodging stuff. Dissent is not a right, it's an obligation.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   76.  Re: Physical Education   by Anonymous Idiot       at Mon 5 May 7:30am score of 0.5 informative   in reply to comment 52     We had "Dr. Dodgeball": Basically the same thing, except when you got hit you sat down where you were, and a "doctor" could come by, touch you, and make you better. So the other team tried to figure out who the doctor was and hit that person, so they could be out and then the rest of the team would fall easily. In other words, it actually added strategy and thinking to the game. And it rocked.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   66.  Re: Physical Education   by blisspix       at Sun 4 May 11:41pm score of 1   in reply to comment 45     do you also think we should get rid of craft, cooking, art, music, dance, drama, woodwork, etc, anything that isn't purely academic? sport has its place in school. As do all those other things. School isn't just about getting into university, it's about preparing for life. I went to a school where we did a lot of sport, but it was not graded, so those of us who tried hard but were bad at sport had no problems.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   81.  Re: Physical Education   by Lemmy Caution       at Mon 5 May 10:24am score of 1   in reply to comment 45     so don't you think that P.E. is discriminatory against people with bad genetics? And academics aren't? Intellect is somehow free from genetic and environmental factors? Should people with ADD be able to sue because the demands of study discriminate against them? I think the exaggerated need to create a pecking order is a problem anyway: the purpose of testing is to make sure people will go into environments in which they will prosper and which they can handle, not to fluff up a CV and give bragging rights. But I think her life is a case of a profoundly over-reaching father who has done everything in his power, fair and unfair, to give his daughter advantages. I would like to see comeuppance in the denouement, but I'm not counting on it.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

53.  The other side   by Nameless Cynic       at Sun 4 May 11:25am score of 1     You mean to tell me that none of you are going to take this poor girl's side? What happened to the American opportunity for success? Imagine the struggles of this poor, disabled child. Struggling every day, the deck stacked against her, but she succeeded! Despite her illness, she managed to make the best grades in her class, but now the honor is being taken away from her because of some imaginary unfairness in the grading system. She deserved to be sole valedictorian, and now that is all being taken away from her! Surely that humiliation is worth... Never mind. I can't do it. She's a spoiled brat. I hope the universities' lawyers figure out a way to revoke their acceptance. Sentio aliquos togatos contra me conspirare   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

54.  Not Possible   by Chasuk       at Sun 4 May 11:43am score of 1     You can't have more than one valedictorian per graduating class. The valedictorian is the student having the highest rank in a graduating class, period. Of course, if two or more students have rankings that are EXACTLY equal, then the previous two sentences are untrue. I would say that Ms. Hornstine does have a valid gripe. I would also say that Ms. Hornstine is a stupid cunt. If I were her prospective employer, if I saw this example of petty litigation, I would instantly dismiss her as an applicant. Revealing my own bias here, I personally believe that it is ridiculous to include athletic ability in the criterion, anyway. Exemptions or wavers shouldn't be needed; PE scores, unless you are planning to be a professional athlete, are entirely irrelevant. In the real world, there are as many former jocks sliding their obese asses behind desks and expiring from clogged arteries as there are nerds. Neopets - the best free game on the Internet.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

57.  Re: Not Possible   by CoFenchurch       at Sun 4 May 12:28pm score of 1   in reply to comment 54     In my high school (District 11 in Colorado Springs), PE classes were not counted in your GPA at all. You were still required to take them, but if you sucked at sports and got a D in all your gym classes, it didn't make a whit of difference as far as your GPA was concerned. Anyway, if you just showed up when you were supposed to, you got at least a B. I doubt they are the only school district in the whole US that does it that way.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

59.  What I would like to see...   by Dry Brit       at Sun 4 May 2:07pm score of 1     Come graduation day, Miss Hornstine steps up to the podium to make her speech... ...and is greeted by a smattering of applause, which swells to a standing slow hand clap... the audience's nuclear option of choice. I mean, if Miss Hornstine is as gifted as all that, she should easily be able to give her speech whilst enduring the kind of treatment that makes seasoned orators break down and weep. Can you sue an audience for humiliating you? -Jakob Welcome to the internet. Where men are men, women are men, and children are the FBI.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

64.  Mt 2 cents   by pattonbt       at Sun 4 May 11:16pm score of 1     This annoys me to no end. A privileged child that doesnt have to physically go to school thinks she should even be considered a candidate for valedictorian much less sue to be the lone one sucks as a human being. Private tutors for AP classes? Home study? For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Unbelievable. An old girlfriend of mine had chronic fatigue syndrome and she still went to class and toughed it out, not using it as a crutch to whine, moan and bend the rules to her favor. Anyway, why should someone be allowed to be valedictorian if they cant fulfill the same requirements of the other students? Having to compete in a classroom environment against other students. Not being subject to the same peer pressures and harassment all other high school kids have to endure. It sounds like to me this child was homeschooled, not really a member of her class. I wish her parents would teach her she is being a shortsighted ass, because one year from now HS Valedictorian will mean dick. Its not like she hasnt already gotten into her college of choice, so who cares about sharing. And even if she writes HS Valedictorian whos going to ask "how many people did you share that with?" and who would even check if she said "none". Stoooopid. And dont get me started on the whole law suit part. Humiliation? 2.5 mill? Seriously, WTF are her parents teaching her? Her dad must be Gordon Gecko (spelling) incarnate. Hopefully karma will catch up with her one day, unfortunately probably not.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

70.  Moorestown, NJ!!   by zaydoun       at Mon 5 May 1:27am score of 1     It must be something in the water.. My former college roommate hailed from Moorestown and he had a horrible superiority complex AND a highly litigious streak. She woulda done him proud! Does anyone have her email address? We could just send her a link to this thread. Or better yet, send it to everybody at Moorestown High.... Hilarity will ensue. Ziad http://kuwait-unplugged.com   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

99.  Re: Moorestown, NJ!! — From a student here   by Anonymous Idiot       at Thu 8 May 5:44pm score of 0.5 informative   in reply to comment 70     Actually, most of our school already knows about the many Internet postings about the story. I'm a senior at MHS, and the entire rest of the class is livid about the way she is ruining graduation. Since elementary school Blair has been known as a crybaby who always demands special treatment. Interstingly, although she suffers from an as-yet-unnamed-or-classified illness, she had enough energy to join the rest of our senior class on a week-long trip to Disney World and spend 14 hours a day walking around in 80 degree heat... But she's "too tired" to sit at a desk. I can assure you from years of experience that the only condition Blair suffers from is chronic inflammation of the ego. Many students are looking forward to graduation (June 19) simply because of the many ways we are planning to get a small bit of revenge. Hey, if we're going to pay $2,700,000 for "humiliating" her, we're damn sure gonna get our money's worth. THIS IS A BLAIR-FREE ZONE. THANK YOU FOR NOT SUING.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]   100.  Re: Moorestown, NJ!! — From a student here   by zaydoun       at Thu 8 May 6:53pm score of 1   in reply to comment 99     Go Moorestown High!! And give the bitch hell!! http://kuwait-unplugged.com   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

72.  P.E.   by colinsky       at Mon 5 May 5:02am score of 1     I never made "Dean's List" in High School due to a completely lack of skill in gym/physical activity, despite all of my academic grades qualifying. I'm sure this is true of other students as well. If this woman doesn't have the same requirements to fulfill as the other students considered for valedictorian, it is not fair for her to be eligible — unless other allowances are made (for instance, making PE grades optional for everyone else's ranking too)   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

73.  I wasn't a valedictorian.   by tdahnsn       at Mon 5 May 6:10am score of 1.5 scholarly     I wasn't because of PE. Or English. Or Math. Actually, I did fairly well. Even in PE (which consisted of understanding how to change clothes and making an honest effort to participate). Sure, it would have been nice to switch out the Health Class (which strangely met just before my AP Bio class...and never had quite the level of detail of that other class) for something a little different, but those were the requirements and I met them all. I wasn't willing to put forth the effort or do some of the things others who coveted the valedictory position were willing to do. Like the valedictorian herself, who was much more ambitious. She was willing to lie, cheat, and even steal in order to gain that honor. She was willing to betray and use everyone available in order to earn that reward. She was our valedictorian. I have no idea what happened to her, save that she went to Princeton on a seven-year med program and assuming she kept her coke probelm in hand she probably did fine. She's probably a doctor, these days. The administration decided that we needed to have a different speaker. They had a competitive process for selecting a different student speaker, and the woman chosen was a very talented student who gave a fine address. I believe she's now a lawyer. In any case, she best represented a great many things that a valedictorian should represent: achievement, integrity, and ability. Kelly, where ever you ended up, I hope it it's turned out well. It comes down to how valedictorians are defined. In this case, she didn't complete the full required curriculum. They have to graduate her, according to their policy, but she never achieved what other students did. She should be excluded, not for being a manipulative bitch who was willing to go to any lengths to achieve a goal, but for not meeting the full requirements of a curriculum. Clearly, other valedictorians at the school were able to achieve that while burdened with the full course load and without getting a doctor's note to get out of classes they felt they'd do poorly in. It's not, then, an impossible goal, or even an unreasonable one. If I were a student in that school I would ask which of my requirements I might be allowed to forego and still be eligible for graduation. Hell, I bet there's a student who really doesn't want to take all those years of english. Or another who is really afraid of math. Why? What's the most callous thing you've said today?   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

87.  At my school...   by ozone       at Mon 5 May 2:11pm score of 1     We voted for our Valedictorian. But not directly. The admin held nominations — members of the student council went from class to class collecting names. A selected committee of admin and teachers would sift through the names, choosing based on grades and other criteria of merit. (This screening process, of course, is the reason I and my smartass attitude did not make it past this stage.) They selected five of the nominees, each of whom was to give a speech to the graduating class some months before the ceremony. (This weeded out the jackasses — the head jock or cheerleader nominee, with their brains empty, would be shown to be the idiots they were while trying to speak coherently to the group.) We voted on the candidates. In my year's case, the deserving candidate won: she did an excellent job and was an excellent person to choose. My sister was valedictorian her graduating year — I made fun of her for 'winning the popularity contest,' but was of course in reality extremely proud. The point was, we didn't get some lame-ass nerd who did all his or her school work to the exclusion of all other aspects of living (including, one must note, the ability to speak in public). We got a well-performing student who was liked enough by graduating students (those who showed up to vote, anyway) to be Valedictorian. The point: no lawsuits.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

91.  Re: At my school...   by gar598       at Mon 5 May 5:35pm score of 1   in reply to comment 87     On a side note, I recently learned that my high school's former valedictorian "dropped" out of Yale to go into retail (KMart). Not everything is what it seems.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]

92.  Ms. Hornstine   by MissyClar       at Mon 5 May 8:06pm score of 1     I thought this was amusing: "Blair's career goal is to get her bachelor's degree in government and the classics, pursue a law degree and specialize in poverty law." Poverty law? Maybe she'll help her school district after they lose the 3.5 mil? also, "Blair organized the collection, cleaning and distribution of over 400 prom dresses to young girls from low-income families." I wonder if she plans to donate the millions to buy lots of prom dresses. I certainly hope she receives nothing. I know many students who have their parents call in sick so they can study. It's a very dishonest way of making good grades, and blair she seems to have mastered that approach. And after all the lawsuits are over, she did all this to be sole valevictorian of some public high school in a small town in new jersey? quotes from: http ://w ww.a asa. org/ awar ds_and_scholarships/scholarships/2002_national_winners.htm#hornstine No comment on photo.   [ ...reply just to this | comment on the story... | next new ]