It feels nice to be honored, especially when the recognition is paired with friends and food. That’s exactly what students are offered at the Advanced Academics Banquet; a tradition the high school started a couple years ago and should continue for the rest of its time.

This high school has a 76 percent AP participation rate. The campus is filled with students who work hard in college level courses and succeed in doing so, aided by teachers who put in extra hours and effort to ensure this success. The banquet is such a kind demonstration of acknowledgement for hard work and success, but also, as Principal Gavan Goodrich touched upon in his speech at the event, it’s an emblem of what this school and district is all about.

Dr. Michael B. Stoff, the Director of Plan II Honors at the University of Texas at Austin, spoke at this year’s event and mentioned it was nice to see scholars being treated like athletes. While it got a good chuckle out of the room, it’s actually a true assessment, and it’s something I believe this district does a very good job at: prioritizing academics. But academics are not the only focus. It is this kind of scholarly success in conjunction with community service, being well rounded, being fair and respectful, and the other pillars of the graduate profile that make this district stand out on a state and national level.

This district isn’t in the business of churning out Ivy League bound robots. Its mission is to shape students into being a smart-normal, and the increasing number of students invited to attend the banquet each year is an annual reminder that it’s doing a fine job. So nevermind the students who criticize the banquet for being “boring” or the complain about the districts’ focus; The Advanced Academics Banquet is a tradition to keep, as are the ideals it represents.