Saith the Smoky Mountain News:
The Haywood County School Board voted to do away with the time-honored tradition of putting a lone valedictorian on a pedestal and instead will recognize high-achieving students with a suite of honorary titles — Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude or Cum Laude, each based on a GPA range.
“It gives a lot more students an opportunity to be recognized,” said Bobby Rogers, school board member. . . .
In Jackson County, the valedictorian accolade was dropped several years ago.
