Talk:Valedictorian

Famous Valedictorians

I'd like to suggest completely dropping the list of famous valedictorians. It's difficult to verify, incomplete, and highly vulnerable to people sliding their own names in. I don't think it adds much to the page. TomTheHand 16:18, 21 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I agree. I'd also like to point out that the term "Famous" could be highly subjective. --Polkapunk 16:22, 21 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I'm removing the list. If anyone has a problem with it, let's discuss it here. TomTheHand 21:37, 3 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I added some extra cases in which co-valedictorians are appointed. I've never heard of it being done for any affirmative action reasons or any such thing, but don't doubt that it happens. Can anyone back this up? 70.162.244.38 02:09, 23 January 2007 (UTC) (this was me Herr Lip 00:56, 24 January 2007 (UTC))[reply]

Wrong.

I have to disagree with the basic definition of the word as presented here. The valedictorian, first and foremost, is the person delivering the valediction speech. This honor is USUALLY awarded to the person with the highest GPA, etc., but the person with the high GPA is not necessarily the valedictorian. Because of the GPA tradition, most people think the GPA defines the title, but this is not historically the case. In practice, they end up being one and the same, however, and are usually recognised as such in school policies. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 159.83.252.234 (talk) 23:08, 2 March 2007 (UTC).[reply]

I am sure that different schools take different approaches to this subject. However, I believe that the Class Valedictorian is the student with the highest class rank (as defined by the highest grade-point-average), regardless of whether or not he delivers the graduation's valedictory address. If another student does not have the highest class rank/GPA and delivers the graduation address, he is referred to as the Graduation Speaker and not the Class Valedictorian. (JosephASpadaro 04:44, 3 March 2007 (UTC))[reply]

No. I was referring to the fact that the Valedictorian is BY DEFINITION the person delivering the valediction speech. At least according to every major dictionary I consulted. Common usage regarding the GPA has taken over these days, so a strong case can be made for a NEW meaning, which is the one you're explaining. But the GPA version is derived from the name of the speech and the person delivering it, not the other way around. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.104.159.16 (talk)

I definitely agree with you. I am simply saying that, nowadays, the word "valedictorian" simply means whatever the School District says that it means. And, each school district / college defines it differently. But, yes -- you are correct. In the classic sense, the term refers to the individual selected to bid the class farewell in the valedictory speech (regardless of how or why he is selected). (JosephASpadaro 06:06, 14 March 2007 (UTC))[reply]

The current popular usage refers to the person with the highest GPA, which is generally how the valedictorian is chosen in the United States. Of course, if you have a school with 16 people with 4.0 GPAs, that results in 16 co-valedictorians, which can just be rather silly. However, I think the article is fine, since it mentions that the valedictorian is traditionally the one to give the valedictory oration during commencement. --clpo13 07:17, 13 March 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I think the historical definition is adequately noted, but the modern definition must supersede it. The title "Valedictorian" is now something that schools assign based on whatever system they choose. I was one of a number of "Valedictorians" in my graduating class, and none of us gave a valedictory address. --Micah Hainline 06:59, 15 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]