RALEIGH, N.C. — Some students at Enloe High School are thinking about more than finals. What they are talking about is valedictorian Evan Wu and whether he deserves the title.

"It has been a heated topic of discussion. People discuss it in my chorus class everyday. People are definitely talking about it," student Robin Willis said.

Some students told WRAL they will turn their backs on Wu if he speaks at Saturday's graduation. Wu allegedly forged a teacher recommendation letter sent to Congressman David Price's office to get into the Naval Academy. Price's office said the congressman recommended Wu, then withdrew the recommendation. A spokesperson would not explain why.

"I'm an Enloe student. I don't want to be represented by someone who took a course of action that I don't agree with and I think that's the basic sentiment of the students at Enloe," Willis said.

WRAL contracted the principal of Enloe High School, who referred the calls the county school system. Michael Evans, representative for Wake County Schools, said it is a very sensitive situation, but there is no room for debate.

"The valedictorian is based solely on GPA and the student in question had a 5.5, which is the highest in the class so that honor is earned and rightfully so," Evans said.

Despite repeated attempts, Wu could not be reached for comment, but his classmates have a lot to say about the way the class of '04 could be remembered.

"I think it's going to be really sad if this valedictorian thing is what our class is remembered by because our class is filled with some of the brightest, talented, smartest I've ever had the pleasure of coming in contact with," student Owen Fitzgerald said.

It is Wake County Schools' policy that valedictorians are chosen based on highest grade point average. They have no plans to change the policy.

Newsweek

just named Enloe 42nd among the nation's top 100 high schools.