Editor, Gazette-Journal:

I read with dismay, but no surprise, of the recent Gloucester School Board decision (Nov. 4 issue) to no longer recognize honor students at the front of the processional during the GHS graduation ceremony. This decision is another example of Gloucester County’s enthusiastic embrace of egalitarianism rather than excellence in its public schools. For years I have been underwhelmed by the policies of the county’s gifted education department, and disheartened that the idea of grouping together high achievers to encourage their potential is considered taboo and "elitist." It is unfortunately a reflection of society’s adoption of the politically correct "I’m O.K., you’re O.K.; we’re all the same" mantra and part of the anti-intellectual, anti-achievement movement prevalent in today’s culture.

Interestingly, it does seem that the alleged overly "reverent" attitude toward young academic achie...