I read just read a short article where yet another school district is eliminating the scholastic honors, (Valedictorian, Salutatorian, etc) in efforts to protect the "mental health" of those who do not achieve such. IMO this is just one more example of the march toward socialism/communism, where excellence is to avoided and sameness promoted. Please tell me I am not wrong about this.

You are not wrong. Cultural Marxism in action.

You got that right.......... And welcome to the great society. Disgusting, ain't it ?

why don't they just make everyone the valedictorian?

Yep, everyone gets a trophy: all the little darlings are happy and content.

L.W.