As students walk down the senior hallway each morning, they are surrounded by the proud, smiling faces of honored students high above them. Some students, however, find the selection process for the “wall of fame” biased, as it focuses on athletes alone.

Donna Clabaugh, Middletown High School assistant principal, took it upon herself to design a more balanced format for selections. She formed a committee of staff and student representatives to “develop criteria for students so they would understand how to get on the wall.”

“We started because some teachers and students came to me about the wall,” she said. “We wanted to get all the students up there who were making significant achievements.”

MHS senior Sam Bello was a member of the committee, and agreed on the importance of diversity on the wall.

“I believe that all areas of the school should be represented,” he said, “whether it be sports, academics, community service, theatre, music or band. We should all deserve recognition for the hard work we all put in for activities.”

Clabaugh sent emails over the summer to potential student and staff members explaining the goals and format of the committee. Once the school year started, she held two meetings during lunch shifts and one after-school meeting.

Members eventually agreed that students should only be represented if they had earned an award at a state or national level. These decisions lead to other problems, however.

“Some activities in which students are involved do not have a level of state or national recognition we could easily point to,” she said. “It was important to make sure we talked to the specific organization from which students receive the award.”

For those organizations that do not participate on state or national levels, the committee opened up the option of having pictures in the display case in the front lobby.

The committee also opened doors for students to apply for a spot on the wall by either nominating themselves or being nominated by a teacher. This application option is beneficial, because “if there’s a category we don’t know about or if an achievement the student has never received before [he or the teacher] can approach the committee.”

These decisions were reached after much debate, but Clabaugh felt it reached success thanks to the diversity and open-mindedness of the staff and students.

“I think it made the decisions more valid,” she said, “because students who participated in wide varieties of activities had a chance to let us know about the things that go on at school.”

Clabaugh was also impressed by the unique focus of the committee.

“I was surprised that the students and staff were really focused on state and national achievements,” she said. “It really showed how much they wanted it to be a goal for students to work toward…Many students were very willing to give their opinions…That was very nice.”

Bello was also pleased with the meetings’ results, and said everything went “beyond expectations.”

 “I’d say we all came together and had a good talk,” he said, “and I’d say the changes are for the better…[It’s a] step in the right direction. I think we got a point across to students.”

Eventually, the committee reached a consensus on certain regulations. Awards must be at state or national level, with some exceptions. Pictures will remain up for one year, or as long as the student attends MHS for current award-winners. A picture of a student record-breaker will remain on the wall until the record is broken.

Academic representatives must be finalist Maryland Distinguished Scholars, or semifinalist or finalist National Merit Scholars. The valedictorian and salutatorian, who represent the highest and second highest GPAs, will also be on the wall.

Agriculture will be represented by first place individual and team state winners.

Career and technology students must be first place winners in the Skills USA competition or FBLA/DECA to be put on the wall. National Leadership Awards will also be represented.

Students active in the performing arts must be finalists in Maryland Distinguished Scholars for the Arts, in All State Choir and/or Band, or in All Eastern Choir and/or Band.

The visual arts will be represented on the wall by student finalists in the Maryland Distinguished Scholars in the Arts, students who are involved in the Congressional Art Competition, have won the Saul Bell Design Award, or participate in the NFAA Young Arts Competition.

Athletes must have all state team recognition, not including honorable mentions. They may also be state record holders, state team winners, or athlete or player of the year through the Frederick News Post. All teams must be recognized by the MPSSA.

Yearbook participants may be on the wall for earning first place in state or national awards.

The committee also plans to recognize students who participate in other activities that do not have state or national awards. These include drama, cheerleading and dance line, as well as various service and FFA awards.