Ah, the High School years.
Grade 12 students in Ontario's Oakville Trafalgar High School conspired to nominate Andrew Ironside as valedictorian as some kind of joke. They thought it would be funny to see the introverted student making the graduation speech.
The day of graduation, a popular student introduced Mr. Ironside:
With that, Mr. Ironside took the stage. He began reciting his prepared speech. but soon crumpled the paper and began ad-libbing, telling his fellow students how they behaved.
Good story, right? Thoughtful introvert gives the jocks a piece of his mind. Even the school administration seems to get it:
But then you read on.
Ah, yes. The selection process. That's the real problem here.
Public education is such a frustrating mix of extremes. Some of the most talented, dedicated people mixed with some of the most mind-numbingly dim people, all with enormous influence over young people.
Grade 12 students in Ontario's Oakville Trafalgar High School conspired to nominate Andrew Ironside as valedictorian as some kind of joke. They thought it would be funny to see the introverted student making the graduation speech.
The day of graduation, a popular student introduced Mr. Ironside:
"I'm pretty happy to say I've spent time with almost all of you," said the good-looking blond who introduced Mr. Ironside at the graduation ceremony.
"Sadly to say, Andrew is not really included in this group of people. The truth is, I really barely know him."
[...]"He probably was the most unlikely person to be nominated, let alone actually win, [...] "So why is he representing us? He was nominated by us, we campaigned for him, we persuaded people to vote for him."
With that, Mr. Ironside took the stage. He began reciting his prepared speech. but soon crumpled the paper and began ad-libbing, telling his fellow students how they behaved.
The intelligent and socially conscious teen knew his reputation and valedictory victory was a joke, but did not think his legacy had to be one.
"Valedictorians always go up there and talk about how we have all these great memories -- the best memories of our lives," he said from Brock University in St. Catharines, where he is now studying biochemistry. "I didn't want to talk like that. I wanted to maybe help the people who didn't have the greatest time in high school."
Good story, right? Thoughtful introvert gives the jocks a piece of his mind. Even the school administration seems to get it:
Mr. Adams, who had been principal of the school since 1999, said Mr. Ironside's speech prompted much "reflection and soul searching" in the school and the community.
But then you read on.
The principal does not believe the teen was the target of bullying or ridicule at the school, but admits his Grade 12 class, part of the province's double cohort, suffered a higher than normal level of teenage stress.
Since Mr. Ironside's controversial address, members of the school's faculty have approached Mr. Adams about changing the system by which valedictorians are selected, perhaps moving to a short-list model chosen by teachers.
Ah, yes. The selection process. That's the real problem here.
Public education is such a frustrating mix of extremes. Some of the most talented, dedicated people mixed with some of the most mind-numbingly dim people, all with enormous influence over young people.
posted by Eric Hancock at
9:12 PM
2 Comments:
Here is a rare comment about this story.
I was among the young men that orchestrated the entire gag. Every single media outlet spun this story to sound like 'popular' kids did this to embarrass Andrew. This couldn't be further from the truth.
A small group of us (Andrew included) decided it was time to fight the 'popular' kids, and show them the masses have more leverage than their superficial popularity contest that Valedictorian voting had become.
We worked tirelessly for weeks to get Andrews name on the ballot. It was not easy, there were opposing popular kids constantly attempting to crush our campaign. Overall, people were very receptive to the idea of our counter-popularity contest. We even got signatures from teachers who were pro-revolution.
After about a month or so of work - Andrew Ironsides name appeared on the ballot card. We would find out a few short weeks later, that Andrew had defeated the minority of popular kids by a landslide. The whole event unified many different 'groups' of teenagers, who had worked together to a common goal. Highschool Bliss.
Mind you, the popular kids were PISSED. I recall crying, some threating messages written about Andrew and of course, more cold shoulder from the snobs (what else is new?)
Anyways - the whole point of this was to empower a 'geek' and give him a chance to tell these uptight 'popular' assholes exactly how he felt, and he did a fantastic job, he represented us, and we couldn't be more proud of him
On a side note, they National Posts story about him being a hero is all BULLSHIT, it's got the story all wrong. Needless to say, he is still a hero, and I will never ever forget Andrew Ironside. YOU ARE A LEGEND!
By
Anonymous, at 2:13 PM
To anonymous above....
I was one of the people on the ballot against Andrew and I must say you shouldn’t lump us all in with the snobs. I will give you that our grade 12 class was full of a bunch of stereotypes.... but I was a stoner/goth/skater crowd kid that was nice to everyone.... which is how I also made it onto the ballot. I never cried over Andrew winning. I never made any threats. And I certainly didn’t cold shoulder him- in fact I congratulated him for making the ballot and was the first to congratulate him when all nominees were called to the office for ‘results’. Everyone’s high school experience is different- and I can’t speak for what the other nominees may or may not have done. You’ve probably figured out who I am now above anonymous. Because my friends were involved with his campaign too. But don’t paint us all with the same brush.
By
Anonymous, at 12:15 PM
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