When the City of Piedmont recognizes an individual or group accomplishment, they declare an entire holiday in their name. For example, Dec. 18 is Sebastien Swain and Piedmont Boys’ Water Polo Day. Similarly, MHS’s monthly Falcon Meetings emphasize the specific achievements of individual students. Examples like these illustrate how appreciation can be utilized to celebrate high-achieving Piedmont citizens. Unfortunately, PHS currently lacks this consistent culture of appreciation perpetuated between the administration and the student body. Among students, celebrating one’s own success can be seen as braggadocious or self-centered. Meanwhile, the administration’s efforts to highlight students are limited to athletics and the annual senior awards ceremony. As an editorial board, we feel that recognition should take place throughout the school year and for all students, regardless of participation in sports or grade level.
To combat this, the PUSD administration should take the initiative to recognize students who embody the PHS motto of “achieving the honorable.” We recommend using the weekly P.A. announcements to celebrate one student for outstanding achievement of the honorable. It could even be used as a community-building system, with students nominating each other for recognition. Regular celebration of students’ efforts would not only help make those individuals feel valued but also encourage them to strive for success. More importantly, it would help cultivate a supportive environment where students can feel proud of both themselves and each other. By placing the impetus of nomination among students, the tradition would be positive and community-oriented, rather than competitive. At an academically rigorous school with a significant emphasis on placement in a four-year college, community-building is sorely needed, and this program could provide that missing piece of school culture.
