LightGrams
May 21, 2026
Volume 30, Number 18
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High school was a long time ago for me, but I remember the suspense in our final semester as we wondered who would be named the school valedictorian. That title, as you likely know, refers to the student who has posted the best grades of any student in that class. Who was awarded that honor in my class? We’ll just say it wasn’t me, but there was one named. Only one.
A story carried earlier this week by United Press International points to Jericho High School in Nassau County, New York. At this year’s graduation, 21 students were recognized as valedictorians. That’s better than the previous record for Jericho in which 15 were given top honors. The approach used at this school is to use “unweighted letter grades” rather than percentages. In that way, every student who makes straight-A’s has a 4.0 Grade Point Average.
There is vigorous debate about using this approach. An article in Time Magazine (July 15, 2015) noted that Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, Virginia had 117 valedictorians that year, more than one-fourth of the entire graduating class. They compared this approach to “participation trophies” given out in youth league sports. Everyone gets a trophy, regardless of how well they did.
There is something to be said, however, for Jericho’s approach. Though intellectual abilities among the class undoubtedly vary, this approach recognizes that all the valedictorians gave it their best.
Jesus told a parable in Matthew 25 in which a master gives three servants varying amounts of money, “to each according to his own ability” (v. 15), to be used while he was away. The expectation was that each servant would put the money to work and present an increased amount to the master upon his return. Two of the servants took their responsibilities seriously and grew their amounts.
The master presented each servant with the same award: “… I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord” (Matthew 25:21,23). One had turned five talents into ten while the other had turned two talents into four. But both were given the same honor. They both did their best.
In Matthew 20 Jesus told another parable about men who were hired to work in a vineyard. Some worked all day; others half the day; and still others worked only an hour. But each was given the same amount of pay! When some grumbled about not being paid more, the master replied, “Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? I wish to give to this last man the same as to you” (Matthew 20:15). Jesus was highlighting the grace of God in giving all workers great rewards.
Here’s the beautiful thing about the grace of God: “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). We all have different levels of skills and abilities, but the Lord honors all who serve Him to the best of their ability.
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
Copyright, 2026, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
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