DR. WALLACE: I will be graduating from high school in less than a month. I'm a very good student and have been accepted at Yale University. I will be attending Yale in September.

But I feel very disappointed that I was not selected as the valedictorian of my graduating class. Ever since I entered high school, I have taken college prep classes. They include calculus, trigonometry, advanced chemistry, Spanish I, II and III, creative writing and the works of Shakespeare, just to name a few. I have received all A's except for one little C+ in geography.

The boy who is our valedictorian received A's in all of his high school classes. But he didn't take difficult college prep courses. His courses were less strenuous.

I will give him credit for getting all A's. That was a wonderful feat, but in no way does it compare to what I have accomplished.

My parents went to see the principal, who agreed that I took the more difficult classes but said the rule for our school states that the senior with the highest high school grade-point average would be the valedictorian. I feel like I was robbed of a very important honor. Do you agree? —Nameless, Philadelphia, Pa.

NAMELESS: It won't help now, but I agree that more difficult classes should have more impact when selecting a valedictorian. I'm in favor of a point system in which classes are "weighted" according to their difficulty. It would take a little time to evaluate every class the high school offers, but doing so would create a fairer method of establishing class rank.

For example, an advanced calculus class would be worth 10 points for an A, eight points for a B and six points for a C. A general math class would have a maximum of six points for an A, four points for a B and two points for a C. Once the point system is in place, and all the parents and students have access to the weighted points given to each class, the selection of a valedictorian would be simplified.

Even though you were not the class valedictorian, Yale University is well aware of your high school transcript and the challenging courses you took. And I'm sure your parents are very proud of you.

Congratulations on a spectacular grade-point average. You are a gifted student and I'm positive your academic accomplishments are just beginning.

IS IT OK TO REST YOUR ELBOWS ON THE TABLE?

DR. WALLACE: Our home economics teacher asked that I write to you to settle the "debate" in our class. Is it OK to rest your elbows on the dinner table during a meal? About half of the class says, "No." The rest of the class says, "Yes." We await your answer. —Karen, Chicago, Ill.

KAREN: I went to the owner of an "upscale" restaurant in Saint John, Ind., to settle your class debate. This was his answer:

"Contrary to what many people think, it is OK to rest your elbows on the table — but only when you're not actually eating. While eating, your free hand should rest on your lap."

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.