Oh, but {ping-pong}* is frivolous. So that doesn't count. Besides {EG/PG child} also {plays ping-pong} AND earns straight A's... AND worked at a south American orphanage project while doing distance research work for the local flagship university their last three summers in high school and was invited to play at a youth orchestra event at Carnegie Hall.


Nobody {plays ping-pong} at Carnegie Hall. Hmph.

Besides, there are a lot more of these kids around here than there are {ping-pong champ trophies} to go around.

So the problem is that those PG kidlets are making it so hard to compete without making things up, basically... wink


*ping-pong here being a metaphor for pretty much ANY activity:

AKC dog agility
barrel racing
marksmanship
knitwear design
modern dance
playing the marimba, accordion, mandolin, ocarina, pan flute, or didgeridoo
volunteering at local homeless shelters, daycares, senior centers or libraries
soccer
track
volleyball
golf
skiing
.
.
.


No. Chess, piano/violin/viola/cello, fencing/lacrosse/rowing, exotic/spectacular international humanitarian/research experiences, 99th percentile test scores and a 4.5+ GPA are what matter.

Everyone knows that only children who measure up are worthy. The rest of them are being given pity-trophies for being participants, that's all. Everyone knows that those are mere consolation prizes, though...

(Yes, tongue is FIRMLY in cheek here.) I'm exaggerating, of course... but sadly, there is an element of truth to this, as parents close to either the college admissions process or to other high school parents can probably attest.

So being "a great kid" doesn't necessarily earn even parental approval and pride in this kind of community. Sadly.







Schrödinger's cat walks into a bar. And doesn't.