VALEDICTORIAN

In the United States and Canada, the title of 'valedictorian' (an anglicized derivation from the Latin ''vale dicere'', "to say farewell") is given to the top graduate of the graduating class (the Australia/New Zealand equivalent being dux, although some Australian universities use the American term) of an educational institution. The title comes from the valedictorian's traditional role as the last speaker at the graduation ceremony.
The title is generally awarded based on the calculated total credits of grades (overall GPA), a senior vote, the amount of dedication to certain extracurricular activities, the academic weight of classes taken, or SAT/ACT scores. In other schools the position may be elected by the school body, or appointed directly by the school administration based on a more complex system of merit (rather than grades alone). Some schools may likewise feature "co-valedictorians." This may be done in the case of a tie, as part of a Latin honors system, or to promote some form of affirmative action such as gender or racial balance.
The graduation speech is a closing or farewell statement, address, or oration delivered at a graduation ceremony. It is an oration or address spoken at commencement in American high schools, colleges or seminaries by one of the graduates. The mode of discourse is generally inspirational and persuasive. The many aims of this address are to thank, inspire, affect, and above all say farewell to the high school, college, or seminary.

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See also

★ Grade inflation

★ Salutatorian: the second highest ranking graduate

★ Blair Hornstine: a high school student who successfully sued her school district to be named as sole valedictorian of the class, rather than having to share the title with a student whose GPA was slightly lower

References

★ Best in Class: Students are suing their way to the top Margaret Talbot

★ From Valedictorian... to the real world Patricia Breakey