CLEVELAND, Ga. – White County School Superintendent Dr. Jeff Wilson was unequivocal Thursday morning in stating there will be no change in the policy that governs the awarding of Valedictorian and Salutatorian honors at White County High School.

Controversy over the issue erupted recently when Christie Taylor, a Move On When Ready student, who had never attended the school, requested the change in order to become eligible for the award.

Wilson said, “I can’t speak for the Board about whether they may consider a completely different type of honor for Move On When Ready students, but it will not be the Valedictorian or Salutatorian award. “That will happen over my dead body. I’d be angry too if my child had met all the requirements for Valedictorian or Salutatorian and didn’t receive it. I’d be hot as fire.”

Asked about the possibility of awarding co-Valedictorian or co-Salutatorian was a possibility, Wilson said absolutely not. “I can promise you we’re not going to do anything that would diminish the honor for those who have qualified to receive it.”

Blake Underwood, a Valedictorian candidate, and Liam Gedney, candidate for Salutatorian, spoke in opposition to the policy change at Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting.

“I’ve worked from the moment I entered White County High School to be Valedictorian, said Underwood. “ I’ve given back to the school.”