You know you dream about it – being voted “best looking,” “best dressed,” or something similar to that. Normally, judging people based on atttributes isn’t encouraged. But in the case of senior superlatives, it’s all the rage.
A key part of the senior experience atLangleyis being able to nominate and recognize classmates for their most striking characteristics. Seniors vote on the labels, which include titles such as “Best all-around” or “Best to take home to Mom and Dad,” and the winners appear in the yearbook. This year, the labels will be the same as they have been for the past six years.
In the past, superlatives would take place during Humanities classes and the voting would last for days. In recent years, the superlatives have been less emphasized, with nominations and voting consisting of two lunch periods. But even with limited time, more than half of the senior class participates in the process, according to the yearbook staff.
“It does bring out the competitive nature in people, and that is why we minimize advertising about it, to cut back on the excitement,” said yearbook adviser Ms. Kelly Mulligan.
As strong as the roots are, some area high schools have voted to get rid of senior superlatives, such the Pacemaker award-winning yearbook from Chantilly. “Not in 22 years has Chantilly had superlatives,” said Chantilly Yearbook Advisor Ms. Mary Kay Downes. “Coverage of as many students as possible is the hallmark of a great book and those who “win” superlatives are covered elsewhere so space can be allocated more equitably.”
Similar to Chantilly, McLean’s yearbook does not include superlatives for a few reasons. “Popularity contests are not journalistic and they take up space where we could be telling compelling stories. We are also opening ourselves up to litigation when we do superlatives,” said McLean Yearbook Advisor Ms. Meghan Percival.
According to Percival, McLean has not had superlatives in the 13 years that she has been advising, and after discussing these issues, the student editors decided they agreed with the policy.
Langleyyearbook adviser Ms. Kelly Mulligan herself is not a big fan of superlatives. “When the topic has to do with achievement, it’s nice to recognize the students, but I’m not in favor of recognizing things that people were born with,”
So why has Langleykept these controversial awards?
A poll of the yearbook staff results in “a unanimous vote every year to keep them, but we have never polled the general population ofLangley,” said Mulligan.
The Scope polled 70 students, and 60 students (84%) voted in favor of keeping the superlatives. It looks like theyw ill be around for a while.