What's More Important?

I was reading an article about how in American high school football, even when the opposing team may have a 50 point lead, that team will not knee down in recognition of the fact that they have won. They keep going until they have a 70 point lead instead.

It makes me wonder...in today's society, what is really important? The end product? Or the lessons learned and the way in which we achieve that end product?

Do we care about the A+ instead of the rich knowledge presented to us? Do we care so much about that A that we cheat to boost our GPA in hopes of pleasing parents and getting into a "top college"?

Coincidentally, I also read an article about a cheating scandal at UCF. Some students who were interviewed claimed that everybody cheats, so why make a big deal that about 200 students cheated on a midterm exam? That's right, people. Everyone does it, so it makes it okay. If everybody jumped off a bridge, would we all do that, too? I wouldn't.

I know that our society is all about innovation and more importantly, goals achieved at a ridiculously fast rate. But what are we losing along the way? Our morals? Dignity? Pride in our work?

It's sad. All I know is that if someone took my place a university because he/she cheated along the way and achieved much higher grades than I did, I would feel a bit angry.