A Matter of Honor
Have you ever felt as though you were truly cheated out of something that you had worked hard to earn, something that you felt you rightly deserved to have, but were nonetheless denied? I had this experience when I was in the ninth grade, and whenever I look back on it, I still have bitter feelings about it.
I had always been an excellent student, ever since the first grade. I loved learning, and it showed because I had a 4.0 grade point average. I was one of those students who hardly ever needed to study; learning just came naturally to me, and I also enjoyed helping others with their studies. I wrote excellent papers and always came out on top when exam time rolled around. I never minded going to school; as a matter of fact, I looked forward to going to school each day. I enjoyed being with my friends and I enjoyed learning new things. I was one of seven children, so I suppose that going to school each day was almost a welcome respite from a crowded household!
One day in home room I received a notice stating that because of my grade point average, I was being considered for the National Honor Society. I had never even heard of the National Honor Society before, but I began to do some research, and I discovered what a prestigious organization it was. I also began to realize what an honor it would be to become a member of such an organization. I was excited about the possibility that I could become one of its members.
Along with the notice, I had received some standard paperwork which I filled out, had my mother sign, and then promptly returned to the school office. Then I waited. A few weeks passed and I had almost forgotten about the whole incident until one day when I received another notice in home room. My application for membership had been denied. I couldn’t understand the reason for their denial. I had a 4.0 grade point average. What more could they want? Then I read that I was denied because I was not involved in any extracurricular activities.
I was incensed. The reason I was not involved in extracurricular activities was because I worked a part-time job after school. My family was on welfare, we lived in a housing project, and we couldn’t afford for me to be in any extracurricular activities!
Didn’t it count that I helped out at Sunday school? Didn’t it count that I volunteered at the Brownie Girl Scout meetings? Didn’t it count that I volunteered by visiting the local nursing home? Just because I wasn’t a cheerleader or a dancer or involved in any sports, why should that be counted against me? And what about helping my classmates with their schoolwork? I was like a tutor for many of them. Doesn’t that count for anything?
I appealed their decision. I made my case, just as I made it above. But it didn’t matter. I still was not accepted into the National Honor Society.
And I decided that maybe it was for the best. Maybe they weren’t so honorable after all.
That’s just not cool! What mean regulations! I am really glad you got over it though. I think your last line is my favourite!
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Thanks so much for your comments; I really do appreciate it. And thanks for stopping by to visit my blog. I hope you have an amazing day. 🙂
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Well, I think you deserved to have been in an honour society well above theirs! Clearly you were far more honourable, for all that you were doing and achieving AND for fighting your case. Nicely told story, too, with a good pace.
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Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful comments; I so appreciate it. Have a wonderful day!
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Good for you for fighting their decision!
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We all have to fight for what we think is right at one time or another in our lives, some just earlier than others, I guess. Thanks for stopping by today; I really appreciate it. Have a great day! 🙂
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How infuriating! I would have been upset too!
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Hi Melanie! Thanks for your comments and thanks for visiting today; I really do appreciate it. I hope you have an awesome day!
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What an infuriating situation! I’m glad you held your head high and saw the absurdity of their position. Nicely told. 🙂
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Hi Suzanne! Thanks so much for visiting my blog today and for your thoughtful comments. I appreciate it so much. I hope you have a wonderful day!
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You’re probably better off not being part of the society! You likely learned more about life and people doing what you were doing! Great essay! TiV
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Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments; I appreciate it. I hope you have an amazing day!
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You too!
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That is far from fair! Much of society is based on golden hair, perfect smiles and knowing the right folks. It’s not much of an honor to be part of a crowd that requires you to conform to their false standards. You are better than that!
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Thanks for your comments; I appreciate it. I hope you have a wonderful day! 🙂
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absolutely ridiculous. but good on you for standing up for yourself!
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I know, it was a bad break for me, wasn’t it? Thanks for stopping by today; I appreciate it. Have a great day!
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I know that now they do accept volunteering and tutoring, as long as it is documented. I understand why you feel upset.
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Good. I’m glad to hear that things have changed; they needed to. Thanks for letting me know. And thanks for stopping by to visit today. I hope you have a great day!
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Oh hi, classism! Nice to meet you so early in life!
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You’ve got that right! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by today. I hope your day is amazing!
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“Honourable” is an impossible ideal in today’s world, and perhaps even before. Ours is a society where personal worth sometimes doesn’t equal to wealth, charisma etc… I guess this is my sceptical side showing but the point is: Sometimes, the world sucks. Dealing with it is the greatest thing you can learn.
Congrats on the good writing and kudos for sharing.
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I totally agree. And learning to deal with it is sometimes the best lesson, right? I hope you have a great day! 🙂
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you’re right, what they did wasn’t honourable, and they showed themselves up for their shallow surface snobbery; it always hurts when we come up against people like that, but then we end up being glad they don’t want us, because they are ‘too small and mean’ for us to ever feel true to ourselves; good for you 🙂
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Thanks, my friend, for your kind comments. I hope you have an awesome day! 🙂
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That’s quite saddening, your hard work easily surpassed any cheerleading. You may not have been accepted to the National Honour Society but you were far more prepared to real life outside. It can take a toll on you to work so hard and not see it paying off but I’m sure in the end of the day you were better off. From many of the others posts I’ve read you were just fine without it. They weren’t so honourable at all!
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Thanks so much for your kind comments and thanks for stopping by to visit today. I hope you have an amazing day!
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I had no idea that such a criteria existed for membership. On the surface, it seems like a valid point. But it seems to me that your volunteerism should trump extracurricular activities any day. What a short-sighted and elitist group.
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I know. I didn’t think it was fair at the time, either. Thanks for stopping by today. I appreciate it. Have a wonderful day!
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Very well said…. but I can understand what the young Cindy felt… I found an echo in ur blog.. happy writing
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Yes, it was hard to take at a young age. Thanks for stopping by today; I appreciate it. Have a great day!
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I can understand that situation..the people / the world generally needs proof like papers/medals to show our moral fibre…I know there are genuine people who do well in their studies as well as extra curricular activities , but majority ‘manage’ to get proof for a label…whenever merit is counted based on such things,it inadvertently direct us to be fake and insincere, and that’s really really sad.
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That is so true. Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you have a wonderful day!
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It is truly sad that hard working students are penalized simply because they cannot or even choose not to participate in the extras.
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Thanks so much for your comments; I appreciate it, and thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a great day!
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Cindy, this is so sad. Like you say, not so honorable. On the flip side, no one should ever have to be part of a flock to fit in, shine or win the status label of success. Just look at you now, despite it all. Lovely post.
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Thank you so much for your kind comments and thanks for stopping by to visit. I hope you have a lovely day!
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