Dear Liz and all At the end of my fifth year at Grammar School, I was awarded a prize for "Best Result in School Certificate" I think I spent my book token on a Biggles book. At the end of my seventh year, I was awarded a prize for "Best Result in General Knowledge", and no prizes for Botany and Zoology, two of my "A" levels - I was rather peeved at that, because I was the only one who took them! (This was in 1952, only the 2nd year of the "new" GCE's. The General Knowledge paper was brand now at that time and was described as an "O" level for those who had spent at least 2 years in the 6th form - I think it became the A level General Knowledge subject that exists now. I can remember answering a question about "The present constitution and composition of the House of Lords" - that was the "Lords spiritual and temporal", which included the 2 Archbishops of Canterbury and York, and 9 Bishops. The other question I remember was about the possibility of space travel, and what would be the difficulties that would have to be overcome. I have a secret belief that the powers that be used my exam paper to help them make space travel possible!) So, yes, I do believe that it's much better to have earned a prize, rather than have them handed out like "party bags" - just for coming!! Also, I recollect that I used to be acquainted with a man who was not elected as vice-chairman of an organisation - even though he was the only candidate - as you may imagine, it wasn't HIM who told me about it!!
Ann in Manchester, UK ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, October 05, 2003 3:52 PM Subject: Re: [lace] Prizes for all Was Re: Men making Lace A long time ago I put in my first entry for military modeling into a competition. I didn't think I stood a chance and realised I was going to be really embarrassed when I realised that I was the only entry. About an hour before the awards were going to be announced one of the judges took me to one side. He said that as this was my first competition he would like to tell me how the judging was done. He explained that in a couple of the catagories there were less entries than possible awards and in fact, the standard of work was so poor that NO awards were going to be given. So, I stood there at the awards and in some catagories they announced that the entries were gallant efforts but sorry, no cigar. Then it came to my catagory and they said that whilst there was not going to be awarded a Highly Commended (the top award required for being able to go to the Nationals) there was going to be a 1st prize - which I won - the only entry. Whatever I have done, I still prize that award because I didnt' get it because I was the only entry but because I earned it. Prizes for all is one thing but sometimes we need to recognise effort and talent so that we understand how we are progressing. What child is going to look back on an award with pleasure when they realise they got it for just turning up. We might as well just give presents out for that. - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
