Students honored for their leadership, academics and athleticism were asked to stand. They were applauded for their hard work and yes, they deserved to be recognized. But again, why do it publicly? Students who remain seated will probably feel like crap. Yes, awards ceremonies are meant to reward students who work hard, but they also kind of tell those sitting down that “yeah, you're graduating, but the ones standing are actually moving forward.” Okay, I sound bitter. But I'm not, I promise (ok, maybe a little...). I'm just trying to bring attention to the hierarchical system that we often forget about once we graduate. These high school traditions are just a few that lay the foundation for a superior vs inferior relationship between peers. They may have the good intention of recognizing their achievements, but this also forces students to see themselves as below or above others. Hierarchy, along with bullying, contributes to the low self-esteem of our youth and deserves equal credit