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Valedictorians Persuasive Essay

Decent Essays

“Whatever you do, do not name a valedictorian,” remarks Kennedy, a quote in Margaret Talbot’s essay, “Best in Class.” This essay was published in the New Yorker Magazine in June 2005, but it can still be argued today. Talbot uses multiple quotes and sources to persuade her audience that there shouldn’t be any more valedictorians, and I agree. Valedictorians should be eliminated because it creates a division in the school, it’s unfair, and it’s too hard to pick just one student. The path to become valedictorian is too competitive. It creates a division between a pair or group of students.There can also be a lot of pressure put on the students and teachers; “the pressure that puts on valedictorians is inexcusable” (Talbot). Parents can also push their child to be a good student or be valedictorian. Not to mention, that competition has even caused hundreds of lawsuits. Students argue that they deserve to be valedictorian and sue the school because they aren’t. In the beginning of her essay, Talbot mentions a case involving two students, Kennedy and Barker, who were at competition to be valedictorian. When they were named co-valedictorians, Barker sued the school. It’s not healthy to have students compete for valedictorian. Getting rid of valedictorians will help solve all these issues. There are many unfair qualities about a valedictorian. For one thing, certain classes don’t even count or have enough credits. One student could be only taking five classes, but be really

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