Congratulations!

As the school year comes to a close across the country, it's time to honor those who have reached milestones and achieved goals and so I congratulate:

• Those students who achieved perfect attendance from kindergarten through 12th grade. No sick days, no vacation days, no missing in action due to a band trip. Nope. They were there each and every day: Cory Shank of South Hagerstown High, Travis China of West Orange High, and Stefanie Zaner of Northwest High. No doubt there were others - a few others - and congratulations to each of them and their families.
• The families of the seniors at Centerburg High in Columbus, Ohio (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31131902/). Your children were caught cheating on tests in a scheme so elaborate and pervasive that it was impossible for the school district to determine which students actually cheated or which just knew about the cheating and didn't report it. But it does appear that all 60 seniors at least knew about it and so district officials cancelled graduation ceremonies for the entire group. Rather than putting together your own ceremony to "honor" and recognize the "achievements" of these kids, you should let them slink off this fall to another venue where they can attempt more of the same. Be glad the district is still mailing your son or daughter their diploma. It is more than I would have done.
• Finally, and best of all, congratulations to my niece (Marah) who will graduate on Tuesday! It hardly seems possible that she could be old enough to be headed off to college this fall (that time certainly went quickly!). Best of luck to her and all the other graduates!

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