Ilion High School - Class of 1981

Utica Daily Press - July 10, 1981

Ilion's 'I' a 'Grade A' Idea, Educators Say

Article 3

Source is here Utica NY Observer 1981 a - 0403.pdf on fultonhistory.com

Utica Daily Press - Ilion's 'I' a 'Grade A' Idea - 1981

Ilion's 'I' a 'Grade A' Idea, Educators Say
By Craig Brandon

Honor students in some local schools may soon have letters on their sweaters to match the "A"s on their report cards.

In a move which may set a trend, Ilion High School is today awarding 18 block letters to honor students similar to the ones traditionally given to athletes.

But instead of a football or a tennis racket these letters feature an open book with the word "Honor" on a letter "I".

And school officials in other schools say they think it's an idea whose time has come.

"The board's intention was to give some recognition to academic achievement," Ilion Superintendent Joseph Fusco said yesterday. "We want to give them a little more encouragement than we have in the past."

The whole purpose of the school system, he said, is to promote education.

"We felt we should give our top students recognition similar to what the athletes receive," he said.

NEARLY all schools have ceremonies honoring academic achievement. There is the national honor society induction ceremony, for example. These students receive a pin.

Other schools single out honors students at graduation or send letters of congratulation to parents of scholarship winners.

But for students, the winning of a block letter is a special mark of achievement which has so far been reserved for athletes.

"Unfortunately in our society," said Fusco, "academic excellence is looked down upon with the same admiration as the athlete."

He said he hoped it would serve as an inspiration to students to work harder at their school work, but some students disagreed.

"I really don't think this is going to influence anyone," said valedictorian Cathleen Woods. "I don't think it will make people work harder."

She said she wouldn't wear the letter and didn't think many others would.

"It's not something you really want to show off," she said. "Nobody wants to be thought of as a bookworm."

But Susan Plunkett, the class salutatorian, said she would wear hers.

"I don't think that any kid in school should have to be ashamed of being smart. I think you should take pride standing don't try that hard because they don't get any recognition for it. Maybe this will make them try a little harder."

LOCAL school principals said school block letters were somewhat out of style with students and that they seldom wear them to school. Instead. they said. the students wear jackets which have the name of their sport on the back.

The letters, however, are still considered a high honor, principals said.

"It's a great idea," said Richard Castallo, principal of New York Mills High School it's a way to give these students the recognition they deserve."

The National Honor Society holds an induction dinner. he said, but attendance is small usually only the students and their parents attend. In contrast, 500 to l,000 people show up at the athletics awards banquet where the letters are awarded.

If the scholars were honored, at the athletic banquet, he said, it would mean more to them.

Dr. James Meyer, New Hartford superintendent, said he thought scholar letters were a good idea that he hoped would catch on.

In Herkimer, principal Harold Stoffolano said we are going to look into it for next year.

Dr. Gregory Vogt, superintendent in Richfield Springs, said his district awards statuettes to students with averages of 90 or better but w as looking for a more meaningful recognition.

At Owen D. Young School in VanHornesville, graduates with honors wear a yellow scarf at graduations, which they get to keep after the ceremonies and honor students are sent on a field trip each year.

Peter Sweet, principal at Little Falls High School, said for the 1981-82 school year the district would also adopt the block letter idea for its academic achievers.

He said the letters would be the initials "LF" and "would integrate the lamp of knowledge somewhere on the design."

Arthur Thompson, interim superintendent for the West Canada Valley Central School District, said the district usually had an honors banquet, but since the district was on an austerity budget this year, that banquet was replaced by an awards program.

Paul J Giacobbe, Poland Central School District superintendent, said his district's award ceremonies included the sixth grade as well as the junior-senior high level. He said the district gave certificates to its academic achievers. "Honoring our achievers is not a new idea here." he said

Created and maintained by Aileen Carney Sweeney - Class of 1974