> My point is, grades and awards are very, very important so kids learn doing their school years that their hard work and ability WILL and SHOULD be rewarded.

Actually, I think you have missed the point of the argument that was brought up. No one ever said rewards should never be handed out or that merit not be recognized. The point was that boasting about it, in whatever way, cheapens the whole thing. I do believe, though, that people have fallen into the trap of believing that they should be rewarded EVERY time they do something well. This is a faulty and destructive mentality and the sooner someone learns that, the better.

Ferrick