American Thinker Reports: Virginia's Thomas Jefferson School of Science and Technology principal, Ann Bonitatibus, has pushed parents to the tipping point with her latest "diversity mission" at one of the top-rated high schools in the nation.

Her quest for "fairness" led her to make the unprecedented decision to withhold the names of students who had earned National Merit scholar awards because she "did not want to hurt the feelings" of less accomplished students.

The outrageous policy was compounded by one parent learning that the decision had dated back five years from the time the administrator had joined the T.J. faculty.

"Keeping these certificates from the students is theft by the state," says Shawna Yashar, an attorney and proud parent of a T.J. student.  "I learned — two years after the fact — that National Merit had recognized my son, a graduate of T.J.'s Class of 2021," added Yashar.



Ms. Yashar — who is regarded as a formidable parent at school board meetings — learned that 40 students had been recognized as "Commended Students" in 2021 alone.  They, too, had been denied the opportunity to include the merit award for the purpose of obtaining a boost to an Ivy League college or enjoying an advantage to securing a scholarship.