Maggie Hay, a 2025 graduate of Summertown High School, asked the Lawrence County School Board on May 29 to reinstate the titles valedictorian and salutatorian and to restore recognition for the top 10 students in each graduating class.

Hay told the board she spoke on behalf of herself and Isabella McDonald, the top distinguished scholar at Summertown who could not attend but supported Hays remarks. "From the first day of kindergarten up until where I am today, I have always worked extremely hard in school," Hay said, describing long study hours and sacrifices she made to earn her grades.

Hay criticized the countys current approach to distinguishing top students, saying the distinguished scholar program places heavy emphasis on ACT test scores. "Distinguished Scholar is heavily based on having a high ACT score, a 26 or above to be exact," she said, and argued the ACT measures test-taking ability more than classroom learning. She told the board that she finished second in her class by a "minuscule amount" and received no special recognition under the current policy.

Hay asked the board to review surrounding counties' approaches and create a fair policy that recognizes top students while accounting for course rigor and fairness. She said reinstating valedictorian, salutatorian and top-10 recognition could be done in a way that is "fair for all students." Hay said she was unable to attend the June meeting and hoped the board would consider her remarks when the item is revisited.

Board response and next steps
Board members acknowledged Hays comments during public comment and noted policy work on graduation recognition would require review by staff and possibly comparison with neighboring systems. The board did not take action on the policy at the May 29 meeting; staff said the policy was not on the agenda for a vote that night.

What Hay said (selected)
"I believe that distinguished scholars should be kept in our school system as it was a great addition to it," Hay said. "But I also believe that tops 10 should be reinstated along with the titles of valedictorian and salutatorian."

Hay suggested the board consider adjustments to grading and ranking policies so that class rank and title recognition are awarded in a way that accounts for course rigor and the districts grading system.