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Post by Sapphire on Jul 25, 2011 20:58:45 GMT -5
www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/25/black-student-cant-be-val_n_909163.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009After four years of nearly straight-A's, Honor's and Advanced Placement classes, 18-year-old Kymberly Wimberly achieved the highest GPA at McGehee Secondary School in Little Rock, Arkansas, according to a court complaint. However, instead of awarding the student for her hard work and dedication, the school denied her the valedictorian status because she was black, claims the document filed by Wimberly's lawyer, John W. Walker. According to the court document, this is not the first time this has happened in the school's history: "[The] defendant's actions were part of a pattern and practice of school administrators and personnel treating the African-American students less favorably than the Caucasian ones...Until Wimberly, the last African-American valedictorian in the McGeeHee school district was in 1989." Although the high school is predominantly white, it is also 46 percent African-American. Wimberly's mother, Molly Bratton, said in the federal discrimination complaint that after her daughter had been told she would be the class valedictorian, she heard whispers of discontent over her daughter's race. According to an article in the Courthouse News Service and the court document itself, Bratton heard school personnel discussing that Wimberly's valedictorian status might cause a "big mess." The next day, high school principle Darrell Thompson told the mother that he had decided to name a white student as "co-valedictorian," despite Wimberly's higher GPA and the press release that had already been sent out to the local paper already naming her in the position. Despite Bratton's protests, the school board would not hear her appeal on her daughter's behalf. Wimberly seeks punitive damages for violation of equal protection rights secured by the 14th amendment of the U.S. constitution.
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Post by Rare_Commodity on Jul 25, 2011 23:00:59 GMT -5
Well I be damned! This young lady worked hard for her title give her what she deserves. That is just hurtful and pure racism at its finest. Sad.
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Post by T-Rex91 on Jul 26, 2011 7:29:53 GMT -5
I'm mad her parents named her Kymberly Wimberly.....like seriously.
It will be interesting to hear the school's defense. If in fact her grades are higher, I can't imagine what they could come up with but these folks are shady sometimes. My high school tried to deny me an award dring graduation and had given it to a less qualified student. When challenged my counselor actually told me that I was being greedy wanting this award too when I had others and this would be the only award given to the young man in question. They had already told his mama and everything. Needless to say, I cared not. You either earn stuff or you don't.
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Post by Rare_Commodity on Jul 27, 2011 8:08:27 GMT -5
I didn't even realize her name rhymed lol. Schools need to get back to the basics and reassess their values and whom they consider valuable.
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Post by 123Diva on Jul 28, 2011 18:05:37 GMT -5
A longer article that I read stated that the young lady is a teen mom who had her child while at this HS, another possible reason for the school's decision.
IMO, ain't no such thing as a co-valedictorian if the GPAs are not identical, which is RARE but does happen.
This is NOT the case here, per every article I've read about the situation. Kymberly is right to sue, and the SALUTATORIAN should never have shared her moment.
She earned it, fornicating, pregnancy, Blackness and ALL. I can't stand tomfoolery...
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Post by Coldfront06 on Jul 28, 2011 19:59:29 GMT -5
I want to hear the school's reasoning. When I graduated, the person who finished with the highest GPA was not awarded valedictorian. I believe the school's reasoning was that he was not enrolled in the "honors" program, and only students in the "honors" program could get the honor. So the 2nd highest GPA was actually given the title valedictorian. Just so happens, the person with the highest was a Black male, and the 2nd place person was a White girl.
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Post by Rare_Commodity on Jul 29, 2011 8:22:09 GMT -5
A longer article that I read stated that the young lady is a teen mom who had her child while at this HS, another possible reason for the school's decision. IMO, ain't no such thing as a co-valedictorian if the GPAs are not identical, which is RARE but does happen. This is NOT the case here, per every article I've read about the situation. Kymberly is right to sue, and the SALUTATORIAN should never have shared her moment. She earned it, fornicating, pregnancy, Blackness and ALL. I can't stand tomfoolery... Wow if she is a teen mom and still manage to be valedictorian that is an impressive accomplishment! Kudos to her. They should let her receive her honor. |
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Post by Bunny Hop on Jul 29, 2011 10:45:46 GMT -5
Yeah they said that they named the co-valedictorian because he had more credit hours. SHULLBIT. I remember that other stuff (credit hours and attendance) coming into play when there is a tie and there wasn't a tie here. But this is America where EVERYONE is a winner!  LOL |
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Post by denounced on Aug 10, 2011 8:11:59 GMT -5
Isn't this the first black president's backyard? If I were Hindu, I would pray to Cali, if I were Muslim I would be praying for Jihad, but I am a follower of Jesus Christ, so I pray for them to do what's right, and that God will be merciful.
The Valedictorian credentials are not always just based on GPA. It depends upon the school. And by the way, it does matter if this extremely intelligent child had a baby out of wedlock. If the valedictorian requirements have any moral codes of conduct, she may want to share the title or humbly relinquish it.
Here's my point, I don't care how smart you are, how you act makes all the difference. Would you want the class clown, disruptor, most days absent, rule breaking offender with the highest GPA be given the title of Valedictorian? I wouldn't listen to a thing they had to say, and not having them give the speech may save the school some embarrassment. I mean, what would make them think that they wouldn't act a fool on stage.
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Post by QueenOH on Aug 10, 2011 8:48:04 GMT -5
Muslims pray to God not Jihad. You really don't need to talk about things you know nothing about
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Post by Rare_Commodity on Aug 10, 2011 10:03:02 GMT -5
Isn't this the first black president's backyard? If I were Hindu, I would pray to Cali, if I were Muslim I would be praying for Jihad, but I am a follower of Jesus Christ, so I pray for them to do what's right, and that God will be merciful. The Valedictorian credentials are not always just based on GPA. It depends upon the school. And by the way, it does matter if this extremely intelligent child had a baby out of wedlock. If the valedictorian requirements have any moral codes of conduct, she may want to share the title or humbly relinquish it. Here's my point, I don't care how smart you are, how you act makes all the difference. Would you want the class clown, disruptor, most days absent, rule breaking offender with the highest GPA be given the title of Valedictorian? I wouldn't listen to a thing they had to say, and not having them give the speech may save the school some embarrassment. I mean, what would make them think that they wouldn't act a fool on stage. This is a good point. |
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Post by QueenOH on Aug 10, 2011 10:24:53 GMT -5
Not really. If the class clown earned the title He earned it.
Just because he disrupts class doesn't mean he can't have something to say. If you don't want to listen then don't.
At my high school graduation we had 2 Valeditorians (same GPA) and 4 Salutatorian and do you think we gave a f*ck what they had to say! No we where out of there.
And speaking as someone that was pregnant Senior Year of high school. Mothers have a lot to say about how not to make the same mistake that she made.
Heck I have told my little cousins over and over again about what I did and how that made my life harder than it could have been. How I didn't have my 20s to have fun like other college kids. How I have had to work, go to school, and provide while having little to no time for myself.
If Bristol Palin can be seen as a role model then so can this chick.
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Post by denounced on Aug 14, 2011 17:36:24 GMT -5
Muslims pray to God not Jihad. You really don't need to talk about things you know nothing about No Queen, what you need to do is read my post more clearly, and summarily apologize. It is amazing how one word can change the whole meaning of a sentence. "for Jihad""TO" and "FOR" |
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Post by Cambist on Aug 16, 2011 8:57:06 GMT -5
Ok, first ...this was in McGehee, AR and not in Little Rock. McGehee is a small town of about 4,000 with a slight White racial majority. The mayor is Black (I went to school with him) and so is much of the "city" council.
I agree with Denounced about the morality clause becuase many honors (especially in the South) have this as a stipulation. Fortunately, I don't believe this is the case with the McGehee High School case.
To put how bass-ackwards this place can be, the mayor, Earnest Nash, was recently pistol whipped by a family member of a city councilwoman. Also, the city council passed an ordinance that "no new civic organization could be created in the city of McGehee." yeah...that kinda stuff....
John Walker (Alpha man, chapter member, state representative, extreme litigator) has taken the case because that's what he does...he sues people in Arkansas over racial issues. LOL!!
That girl should have been the sole holder of the title and honor.
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Post by Oldskool on Aug 25, 2011 10:16:06 GMT -5
Isn't this the first black president's backyard? If I were Hindu, I would pray to Cali, if I were Muslim I would be praying for Jihad, but I am a follower of Jesus Christ, so I pray for them to do what's right, and that God will be merciful. The Valedictorian credentials are not always just based on GPA. It depends upon the school. And by the way, it does matter if this extremely intelligent child had a baby out of wedlock. If the valedictorian requirements have any moral codes of conduct, she may want to share the title or humbly relinquish it. Here's my point, I don't care how smart you are, how you act makes all the difference. Would you want the class clown, disruptor, most days absent, rule breaking offender with the highest GPA be given the title of Valedictorian? I wouldn't listen to a thing they had to say, and not having them give the speech may save the school some embarrassment. I mean, what would make them think that they wouldn't act a fool on stage. I know...I know...I am late to the discussion, but I must agree with this poster. We have to prove ourselves over and over. It is a way of life. If this child wanted to be the sole Valedictorian, then she should not have left the door open. If THEY want to deny us something, they will search under every rock to find it. It's like submitting to a background check. In the deep south, having babies out of wedlock and before finishing school, is the kiss of death. It is a wonder she wasn't denied altogether. I think the law suit is a farce and the family should save its money. She should be thankful that she was even considered, still got, and was allowed to share it. *done talking* |
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Post by 123Diva on Aug 27, 2011 9:23:58 GMT -5
I am surprised and dismayed at where this thread has gone. The young lady earned the title. PERIOD. Yes, I am a Christian and frown upon her being a teen mom and having sex at that age AT ALL, but what's done is done. And if the school does NOT have a morality clause, they are WRONG, WRONG, WRONG.
That is the beginning and end of it. Call me liberal, new age, whatever...I don't give a damn...this is a clear-cut case of discrimination.
If anything, she had more to overcome due to her being a young mom in highschool, and not only did she overcome, but with highest honors, and came out on top. That is to be applauded, commended, and acknowledged as far as I am concerned. Not for sexing and having a child out of wedlock, but for her excellent academic achievement.
We need to stop making teen moms "pay" forever for an action, mistake, whatever we want to call it long after it has happened. I'm sooo tired of this mentality.
And we wonder why some just go have an abortion???
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Post by T-Rex91 on Sept 1, 2011 8:21:49 GMT -5
Interesting, I've never heard of a morality clause to qualify. Apparently the definitiion of valedictorian has evolved since I was in school. Additionally, it wasn't stipulated but we never would have had a val NOT be in the "honors" program because all our vals had >4.0 averaages because of AP courses. It's not a citizenship award, it's an academic award (IMO) and should go to the person with the highest grades. After all, it doesn't matter after the graduation is over anyway.
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Post by Oldskool on Sept 14, 2011 14:42:23 GMT -5
I am surprised and dismayed at where this thread has gone. The young lady earned the title. PERIOD. Yes, I am a Christian and frown upon her being a teen mom and having sex at that age AT ALL, but what's done is done. And if the school does NOT have a morality clause, they are WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. That is the beginning and end of it. Call me liberal, new age, whatever...I don't give a damn...this is a clear-cut case of discrimination. If anything, she had more to overcome due to her being a young mom in highschool, and not only did she overcome, but with highest honors, and came out on top. That is to be applauded, commended, and acknowledged as far as I am concerned. Not for sexing and having a child out of wedlock, but for her excellent academic achievement. We need to stop making teen moms "pay" forever for an action, mistake, whatever we want to call it long after it has happened. I'm sooo tired of this mentality.And we wonder why some just go have an abortion??? Today, the young lady does not have to be a TEEN mom. These little girls know how to NOT get pregnant and they need to exercise restraint or use some form of protection. Hell, they don't even need parental consent for anything....not even an abortion. Pregnancy before graduation is not an option TODAY....especially if you are an honor student. You are one of the smarter students, then why do something dumb like have a baby? And I am tired of the mentality of "she made a mistake", she needs a break. In 2011, having babies as a teen, is not a mistake. Too much information is available. Anything you need can be purchased over the counter. Give me a break! |
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Post by Rare_Commodity on Sept 15, 2011 10:00:49 GMT -5
^^ My name is Rare_Commodity and I approve this message.
**Vote for OldSkool**
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Post by Chal™ on Sept 16, 2011 11:49:26 GMT -5
so basically, we're focusing on the fact that she has a baby? Nevermind the fact that she was cheated out of what was rightfully hers? Yea, ok. Whatever.
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Post by Oldskool on Sept 16, 2011 12:21:37 GMT -5
so basically, we're focusing on the fact that she has a baby? Nevermind the fact that she was cheated out of what was rightfully hers? Yea, ok. Whatever. No Mc C. We are not focusing on the fact that she has a baby, I'm focusing on the fact that she created an avenue to not be the sole benefactor of the award. She left school to have her baby. She gave them something to use against her....and they did. She could have waited until she had finished school to start thinking about having babies. When doors are opened to us, we have to be the best we can be to go in. Do you think our President would have been on the list of candidates if there were a chink in his armor. They tried to find all kinds of imperfections...and still are...to keep him out. This little girl gave them all they needed to not let her have that award by herself....she cheated herself. *unpopular fact* |
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Post by Chal™ on Sept 16, 2011 13:23:36 GMT -5
It is listed in th eschool rules that students who have babies are ineligible to receive sole ownership/recognition for academic accomplishments? Do we know that she missed an extended amount of time from school? Perhap the baby was born in the summer. Even if not, perhaps she had home schooling during her maternity leave.
I'm just not understanding why an academic award is being discussed as though it is a citizenship award (S/O to 91).
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