Valedictorian Meaning Explained
As a rising Senior in high school, being chosen as your graduating class’s Valedictorian or Salutatorian is a great honor. But despite the esteem it carries, there are some finer points about the process, the meaning, and the reasons for being chosen that you may not be aware of yet. Here at NSHSS, we decided to dig deep into all things Valedictorian and Salutatorian to give you better insight and knowledge for when your big day comes at the end of Senior year. We hope this helps better prepare you for when it is your moment to shine!
Origins
The word ‘Valedictorian’ comes from the Latin term ‘Vale Dicere’ which means “to say farewell.” Dating back to the times of Ancient Rome, this term refers to any member of a graduating class who is chosen to make the final remarks to his or her classmates at the end of the year. Compare this to the word ‘Salutatorian’ which comes from the Latin term ‘salutatorius’ which means “pertaining to visiting or greeting.” This is a more recent term created for the second-highest-ranking member of any graduating class.
What’s it all About?
High school graduation usually follows the traditional process of having the Salutatorian speak first, with the idea that they may welcome everyone to the graduation ceremony. They make a speech that reflects on the shared memories of the graduating class. This is then followed up at the end with a longer speech by the Valedictorian, who bids a fine farewell to all their classmates. Their speech might focus on words of encouragement towards all of their classmate’s future endeavors. Now, depending on your own school’s graduation process, the roles of each may differ, and that is perfectly normal. But the main foundation still stands that both chosen students will make speeches which feature reflections on the past, as well as words about hopeful futures.
Who is Chosen
The ways in which each student in these two roles are chosen can vary significantly with each school board. The general consensus is that the students with the two highest Grade Point Averages are chosen as both the Valedictorian and the Salutatorian alike. These GPAs tend to reflect the work accomplished, as well as the commitment made toward the best education possible. And, generally speaking, a point-based system is also the fairest way for the school board and teachers to choose among all of the hard-working students. But, some schools may also make their decisions on humanitarian efforts from the students, or ways in which a given student excelled in more extra curricular activities. Either way the student is chosen, it is left up to the school board’s agreed upon decision, not just the principal or guidance counselor. If you have questions about how your specific school makes their choice, it is best to reach out to your guidance counselor, who can provide you with the best explanation of that school board’s particular process.
The Speech
The Salutatorian and Valedictorian speeches can be a daunting task for the students chosen. Public speaking is a common fear, and there is no one way to accomplish it. However, on a recent NSHSS blog, we broke down some of the best pointers for making the valedictory speech. These included keeping it within five to ten minutes, making the speech about all the students, opening with a good one-liner or a favorite quote, and ending the speech with a mark of inspiration. When deciding how to write your speech, it is best to keep in mind that the students, faculty, and families watching you are proud of you. Do not worry about making a perfect Valedictorian speech, just make one that you can be happy with, and one that brings a smile to your face. Because if you’re smiling by the end, chances are so are the members in the audience!
Be Proud. Do More.
If you are one of the students in your high school to be selected as a Valedictorian or Salutatorian, it truly is and should be viewed as a great honor. There is something special about being recognized by a group of adults who see you as worthy of representing your entire class. That means that they believe in you to say something meaningful as a goodbye not only to the class, but also to the parents, the teachers, the faculty, and the school community as a whole. But there is an extra note we at NSHSS would like to leave you with: none of this is a competition. Despite all the mentions of class rankings, and first and second, it’s best to understand that this selection process does not determine your worth as a student just because you were not chosen. Each person reading this is valuable, both as a student, and a human being. Whether you are chosen or you are not, be proud of the work you have done. And remember, this is only one chapter in a whole book about you. There is so much more of your story left to tell!