As the Class of 2026 is gearing up for graduation, South Windsor High School is beginning to celebrate the shaping of yet another successful group of students. However, the recognition is tainted with an increasing cost to celebration, Senior Outing, Senior Reception, Cap and Gown and now honor cords are invoices being sent to parents.
While senior dues have always included the price of group trips, and graduation attire, the new expense of honor cords is stunning student scholars. Honor cords are used to signify the personal impact each student had on the high school, and many times the legacy they will leave behind. But now, these colorful ropes are being tarnished with yet another cost related to the price of graduating.
Students are being taxed for their intelligence and involvement in the school community, something that is essentially required of every student.
“I am frustrated to have to pay for something that I worked hard to earn. It doesn’t feel like a reward anymore, just another cost of senior year,” senior Olivia Stoner said.
It is without question that the high school is intentionally structured to foster a thriving learning environment. With a number of challenging courses and enriching extracurricular activities, it is nearly impossible for students to glaze over the high school experience.
Involvement is strongly encouraged by school staff and administrators, and while students reap the benefits of these resume boosters after high school, they seemingly get little acknowledgement for their efforts while in the school building.
Since the majority of students receive honor cords, their novelty has worn off, and the expense put on the school has increased. There isn’t any recognition of the importance of honor cords, in fact, seniors pick up their honor cords in a bag after school.
In addition, these cords are no longer given to just those exemplifying academic excellence, and scholarly conduct. At least one, colored in maroon and gold, is provided to all students, and the few who don’t receive them are ordering them on Amazon, simply to fit the image of a graduate.
Special recognition has already been taken away from students who have used their high school career to enhance the SWHS community. But now they are being charged for the efforts they put into high school, by attaching a $4 fee to each cord earned.
Every morning students are reminded of the administration’s expectations for their performance. Students are to follow the Portrait of a Graduate outline, striving to be socially conscious, resilient, empowered and engaged. So why are graduates now being charged for exemplifying these qualities?
Nonetheless, seniors that have adhered to administration’s expectations are now the leaders of the school, and should not have to pay for something as simple as wearing a cord on the one day each student is recognized.
“Being charged by the school per honor cord makes a mockery of the actual achievement that students put into school to receive a cord. It’s also just another way of saying the concept of achievement is profitable, which is absurd,” senior Celine Nguyen told The Prowl.
The double standard is evident, and students are taking notice of it.
