Valedictorian tradition makes students strive

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November 4, 2008 • Nellie Hall  
Filed under Opinion

The idea of a valedictorian is an age-old tradition, which has existed in our country for decades. 

In recent years, critics began to write off this ritual as frivolous and unnecessary. As a result, administrators in various high schools decided to eliminate valedictorians.

This recent trend provoked many students to ask themselves if the school should continue naming a valedictorian. 

However, those who think valedictorians should go do not realize that the naming of a valedictorian by the student body is not silly or superfluous.

Rather, it is a tradition, which honors deserving students who dedicate themselves to achieving academic excellence.

Valedictorian status is awarded to the student who earns the highest grade point average (GPA) throughout his or her high school career. Traditionally, said student gives a farewell speech to his or her class at the graduation ceremony.

Because this is such an honor, some say that the drive to achieve valedictorian status puts too much pressure on students and therefore creates stress. While many high school students do often endure intense stress, this is not a result of their desire to become valedictorian.

At the beginning of junior year, the list of candidates is typically narrowed down to a select few. Thus, the idea of valedictorian holds no effect on the majority of students.

Rather, pressure from parents and college applications creates stress, and eliminating the valedictorian will not reduce this problem. Trying to eradicate stress in high schools by eliminating the valedictorian is like attempting to alleviate a brain tumor with aspirin; it simply does not go to the root of the problem.

While speaking of valedictorians, critics also claim that after high school, the status becomes irrelevant. It may be true that many important components of high school seem superficial after graduation, and perhaps it can be said of valedictorians as well. However, the graduation ceremony as a whole is most important at the time of the actual celebration. 

Dozens of people work relentlessly to perfect a ceremony that takes mere hours, and one of those people becomes the valedictorian. This tradition holds great importance to the graduation ceremony. A student may not remember who their class’ valedictorian was, but they will remember a wonderful graduation ceremony, in which the valedictorian plays a large part.

Lastly,  critics of the valedictorian process argue that the student with the highest GPA. is not necessarily most qualified to give the farewell speech. What a ridiculous point. 

The student who earns valedictorian status has likely worked persistently during high school to achieve the grades they do, and will likely put just as much effort into their speech. No caution needs to be taken in assuming that this student will show high intelligence and will be capable of giving a fantastic speech.

Furthermore, it is the only time during high school when students who achieve academically receive recognition.

Students cheer for star athletes during varsity games, musicians play solos in their concerts and students who achieve in extra curricular activities are congratulated on the morning announcements. The valedictorian speech is this person’s only chance to be awarded for achievement in the most important component of high school: academics.

Naming a valedictorian is a tradition, which awards hard working, academically brilliant students otherwise ignored by the student body. Please support the continuing of this vital part of high school graduation.