Dear Editor:
I believe that the decision to not award Anjali Datta the "Highest Ranking Graduate" honor is a disgrace and that those responsible for withholding this honor from her must be held accountable. Not only has she achieved the highest GPA in school history, she has achieved it in just three years.
This should be celebrated, not punished! The purpose of laws and policies are to provide "substance over form" and when an ill effect that was not intended in the origination of the policy wrongs a person, it is the responsibility of our elected officials to correct that wrong. Not hide behind letters! It was clearly not fathomed by the authors of this policy that someone could accomplish what Anjali Datta did in just three years.
I call on our elected officials to perform their duty and do that which is necessary to right this wrong. Otherwise, this is a disgrace on our school.
— Dustin Parker, GHS Alumni
Dear Editor:
I am completely shocked and saddened by GCISD’s decision not to give Anjali Datta the valedictorian status and scholarship she so deserves. I moved to Colleyville from El Paso almost four years ago.
Having a [master’s degree in education], I am very aware of the politics that goes on in a school district. I have been very proud to call Colleyville home, as I thought I was now in the company of people who actually did the right thing and made good decisions.
I see I am mistaken.
GCISD is no different than EPISD. Stupidity runs high here, too. The least the district could do now is pull funds together to award Anjali a scholarship. It is never too late to do the right thing!
— Danna Ward, Colleyville
Dear Editor:
This is probably the most negative event that I have heard of for a long time.
If this is against GCISD policy, then they should have revised the policy to be able to award a student who has done so well. There are two good reasons: 1) She earned the honor. 2) She and her family are deprived from the financial advantage of the scholarship.
The fact that she and her parents met with the principal in March, makes this even worse. There was plenty of time for the school board to revise that policy. Why did this matter get to be the 12th hour before it was made public?
— Ken Anderson, Grapevine