Even though lawmakers continue to cut funding for education at a torrid pace, students and teachers in Dallas County are continuing to make the most out of very little.

For the past few weeks, we’ve showcased some of the best students coming out of our schools, the valedictorians.

Although we’re not yet finished writing about all of them, we felt it was necessary to recognize them for their accomplishments and compliment them for making so much out of so little.

During their session this year, lawmakers approved a $5.4 billion budget for the 2012-2013 school year. That budget will spend $208 million, or 3.7 percent, less than this year’s $5.6 billion education budget.

The decreased budget did, however, ensure no cuts in the number of teachers or school staffs would be made.

Although the results weren’t quite as bad as we’d initially expected — in February, Gov. Robert Bentley recommended a budget that would have cut more than 1,000 teachers and created larger class sizes — it still puts our students at a disadvantage.

We commend our students, from pre-schoolers all the way up to those in higher education, for not letting a tough financial situation in the state of Alabama affect their learning experiences.

So enjoy your summer vacation, students. You’ve earned it.