feeling kinda sad

Well today is my oldest kids b-day he is 17 today.  Alot of things have been going on for the past week.  Kids seem to be getting to the point that they think they don't have to listen to thier parents anymore.  Especially the "birthday child."  I used to have to be in control about everything (ocd) but I am mellowing out.  I feel so bad for my oldest child.  He is a smart kid but not very popular, kind of a nerdy type.  He asked a girl to go to homecoming and she said no.  He later found out that she was talking all kinds of stuff about him.  He got upset over it and kind of got in trouble for it.  He tried to get homecoming nominations but that didn't happen either.  I just feel so bad for him cause I know what it is like to not be very popular in school.  Everything in school is based on popularity.  Personally I think they should just do away with homecoming king and queen, and everything else that only the popular kids are involved in.  I don't know what to do about anything anymore.