All sides are guilty of being rude at social gatherings

I, as well as Mr. Johnson, attended the Senior Awards Night at Calabasas High School on June 14. This was my first year at the high school, and I was looking forward to the assembly as an opportunity to see students be recognized and to present awards in journalism to four outstanding students.

As I sat waiting for everyone to arrive, there was a noisy hum among students, parents and faculty. I assumed it was the excitement and anticipation of the forthcoming presentations.

I was wrong.

As the presentations began, I was disconcerted by the amount of talking and inattention. Teachers were paired in conversation, students and parents arrived late, and many parents left as soon as their child received their award.

The pride and respect I expected was nonexistent.

Many parents and relatives were separated from the event by cameras, pagers and cell phones, acting as if there was an invisible screen between them and the event, exempting them from attention.

When it came to my turn to present, I walked to the lectern and stood there for a moment.

It took several seconds of silence before people looked up to see what the delay was.

As soon as I began to present, the hum began again.

This behavior, unfortunately, is not limited to school events, parents, students or teachers. It is a growing trend within the general population.

The prevailing attitude is, "If it’s not about me, my family or my friends, I don’t have to pay attention." I witnessed this same behavior at the Daytime Emmy Awards. People who were receiving awards for years of work went unnoticed by the majority of the attendees for the same reasons.

It is important for people to be acknowledged.

Educational research states that the more positive attention given to students, the more they will attempt, and the more successful they will be.

The research is not limited to students. Industry has also found this to be true, yet no one seems willing to give that attention and respect. I often hear people say, "Everyone is willing to notice my mistakes, but no one ever notices my successes," regardless of their station in life.

While I can understand Mr. Johnson’s concern, I submit it is poor behavior on all sides.

The real issue is mutual respect. Reciprocity is a great gift, so turn off your voices, pagers, cell phones and cameras. Turn your focus outward for a moment, and model the respect you would like to receive.

Kathryn Howell Anders

Teacher, Las Virgenes

Unified School District