Coronation

Tradition has its place inside the halls of high school. Year after year, events like Senior Ball, Junior Prom, and Homecoming send the interested girls into the dress shops and hair salons, while the boys drop off at the flower shop and the tuxedo shop.
In the case of Homecoming, students vote on a number of potential Kings, Queens, and honorary court members. These students give speeches designed to encourage the student body to see them for who they are--NHS members, cheerleader, ASB President. But does the entire student body need to be summoned to the gymansium on two separate days?
It's not that these students being honored haven't offered something to the student body by way of, hopefully, positive contributions. It's not that those same students shouldn't be honored for what they have accomplished in their four years. It is, however, sad that so many students must be reminded of how they aren't the pretty ones, or the popular ones.
Every year this tradition continues, worthy candidates who offer much more to a campus than some who are elected, get forgotten. Yet, their contributions mean so much more than the Varsity athlete or NHS member. I also wonder about the number of students who would give anything to be a part of ASB or other influential student body groups but must head home to pick up their sibling from school so mom or dad can go to work. What about them?
Don't get me wrong, I believe that tradition is important. But we must at least admit that, in light of high school culture, it can sometimes be painful.