In a few weeks there will be a lot of cheering and more than a few mortarboards sailing through the sky as educators, parents, and the town as a whole marks the graduation of the Class of 2000. But between now and then there is still a lot of work to be done in the academic trenches of Newtown. So now is probably the most appropriate time to show our support and appreciation of Newtown’s hardworking students.

We start, of course, with the academic stars of Newtown High School, this year’s Valedictorian Clare Beams and Salutatorian Laura Hammond. And then we move on to the top ten academic achievers at the high school, who are pictured this week on page A8. It is tempting to say that these students have risen to the top of their class because they are smart or gifted or talented. But what they know and their parents know is that their success in school has not come automatically; it is the result of a lot of hard work and dogged determination to use what ever intellectual gifts or talents they have to their best advantage.

It is also important, however, to note, appreciate, and support the efforts of students throughout the school district who are working just as hard, but without such spectacular results. We are thinking of those kids who have a difficult time with math, or English, or science, who have to study extra hours just to get a passing grade. We are thinking of those kids who have learning disabilities, or those who must also struggle with difficult situations at home, or who have taken on the responsibilities of a job in addition to their schoolwork. Their efforts in many cases are just as great as those of the top students and the stresses placed upon them are even greater, since they get little recognition or praise for mediocre grades and more than a little pressure from their parents and teachers to do better.

We forget as adults what it is like to be evaluated and graded at every turn, knowing that your livelihood, success, and future happiness may depend in large part on the grades you get on your final exams. So next week, as final exams begin at Newtown High School, we should make special efforts to show support, encouragement, and special appreciation for all the students in Newtown who, regardless of their level of achievement, are working hard to do the best they can.