Middle schooler given 'laziest' award, kids' fitness book at volleyball team celebration

A school district in Michigan is apologizing after an award ceremony at a volleyball end-of-the-season celebration.

Shel Carden said her child came to her car crying and showed her an award that said “Laziest Peraon” (sic). The Parker Middle School student also received a kids’ book titled “Move Your Feet.”  

Carden said students had participated in a mock election, and also voted for quietest player, loudest player, everyone’s friend, best cheerleader. Winners received gifts to along with the awards.

Carden thought about her child's award and gift over the weekend. She posted about it in a local Facebook group, "Howell MI Happenings.” In the post, which was removed Oct. 26., Carden said she wanted to get feedback from parents.

“After thinking about it over the weekend I decided I felt it wasn’t appropriate for the coach to hand out awards like this because some of them were hurtful to the kids, and this was my kid’s first year even trying volleyball and now she feels like she did terrible,” Carden said. “I know I’m her mom and bias(ed) but for a first timer I felt she did pretty good.” 

Carden believed the mock election was a form of bullying. 

“I feel like coaches and teachers are supposed to be there to support our children and help them learn to be better human beings, not tearing people down and making them feel bad about themselves,” she said. “I don’t think anything was ‘funny’ about the situation and that the added gifts that she handed out even made the situation worse for the kid.” 

Tom Gould, communications director for Howell Public Schools, released a statement on behalf of the district. 

"As part of the Parker Middle School volleyball team's end-of-the-season celebration, the student-athletes voted in mock elections for their teammates,” Gould said.

“While this was meant to be fun, one of the categories was in poor taste, hurtful, and unacceptable. This was an oversight on the part of our coach, and we have taken action to ensure it does not occur again. Additionally, our Athletic Department has spoken to the family of the student who received the award to express our apologies for the award."  

Carden confirmed she had heard from school officials regarding the issue and they agreed it shouldn't have happened. 

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