Show off the outstanding students

I enjoyed reading Tom Johnson’s homey column (“Relating to local whiz kids,” Friday) along with Michael Miller’s report on the awards banquet given in honor of 32 seniors from Corona del Mar and Newport Harbor high schools.

These were the seniors who had achieved highly in their school work and athletics and have performed community service. The turnout for the awards did not include parents or other students.

How much more it would have meant, I believe, if the awards had been presented at the school auditorium in full view of the student body. I’m sure the students on stage and those in the audience would have been more greatly impressed and, probably, motivated to emulate those who were being honored. And the faculty would also feel a role in the students’ achievement.

New subject: You mentioned the National Honor Society, but this entity does not exist or have a role to play in any of the high schools. Nor does cum laude. It would have a greater meaning if students, who excelled academically, were made members of one or the other honor societies ? again in full view of the faculty and student body. At 86 years of age, I still look with pride and pleasure at the two certificates, which my wife has framed and placed on the wall. These were presented to me and others who qualified academically by the principal on graduation day for all ? especially parents ? to see.

LEFTERIS LAVRAKAS

Costa Mesa