The phrase "everyone gets a trophy" can definitely have a negative stigma to it. I have been on the criticizing end of that statement before. But now having a son in 3rd grade, I do appreciate when students at that age are awarded and honored for an individualized achievement (even though "everyone gets a trophy"). Also, I'm experiencing this firsthand as a JV basketball coach at my son's school. Every week we award a particular student athlete with a Christian Character Award. By the end of the season, every player on the team will be honored during a particular practice with a character award... "everyone gets a trophy." But I've truly seen how proud each one of my basketball players is with this award/honor and how truly excited their teammates are from them as well. So I've definitely begun to change my tune with how I felt about this in the past. Let's honor and recognize our students and our athletes for their achievements whether "everyone gets a trophy" or not.
