To the editor:

My wife and I had the pleasure of attending the South Whidbey High School performance of “Songs For a New World.” We were impressed, again, by the talents of the kids and the range of their musical abilities.

So why is it that these and other superior performers do not get the respect they deserve? The lobby outside the auditorium is filled with every type of award that the athletes get: their pictures, their trophies, plaques, banners and cups, but there is virtually nothing to honor students who excel in anything else.

It seems that if you can throw a football you get a trophy, but if you can spellbind an audience with your acting, you get a pat on the back. If you can hit a ball over a net or into a hole you get a plaque; but if you can merely bring tears to the eyes of your listeners with your singing, you get a standing ovation, and then oblivion. And if you can run, or throw, or vault, or jump, your name goes down in the history books, and your picture goes up on the wall of fame. But if you’re a math whiz, a chess champ, have a 4.0 gpa, are the winner of a debate contest or a spelling bee, or otherwise excel academically, you get a “Well done, Billy or Susan,” and then goodbye.

Perhaps we just don’t have any clever kids at the South Whidbey High School worth honoring?

Geoff Hornsby

Freeland