valedictorian
noun
val·e·dic·to·ri·an
ˌva-lə-ˌdik-ˈtȯr-ē-ən 
: the student usually having the highest rank in a graduating class who delivers the valedictory address at the commencement exercises
Examples of valedictorian in a Sentence
She was the valedictorian of her class in 1985.
Recent Examples on the Web
On May 16, 18-year-old Early College High School valedictorian Alem Hadzic took the stage at his graduation to give his speech just hours after his father's funeral.
—
Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 22 May 2024
The school's valedictorian also discussed the conflict in Gaza during his speech before Biden's remarks.
—Rachel Barber, USA TODAY, 20 May 2024
DeAngelo Jeremiah Fletcher, the class valedictorian, took the stage with the Palestinian flag pinned on his stole and on his cap.
—Maya King, New York Times, 19 May 2024
Isaiah Duran, Louisville Male — $10,200 A valedictorian at Male, Duran balances his academic coursework with his job at UPS as a participant in the School to Work program.
—Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 17 May 2024
The week’s biggest stories (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
Campus protests and commencement
In a moment of joy, silenced USC valedictorian graduates amid campus turmoil.
—Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2024
After graduating as valedictorian from South Pasadena High School in 1945, McCloskey attended Occidental College and California Institute of Technology.
—Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 8 May 2024
The University of Southern California made a similar call last month, following dozens of arrests and the cancelation of the Los Angeles campus' valedictorian speaker.
—Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 7 May 2024
Popular on Variety This announcement came less than a week after USC sparked controversy by barring its valedictorian, Asna Tabassum, a first-generation South-Asian American Muslim student, from delivering her commencement address.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 20 Apr. 2024
Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 22 May 2024
The school's valedictorian also discussed the conflict in Gaza during his speech before Biden's remarks.
—Rachel Barber, USA TODAY, 20 May 2024
DeAngelo Jeremiah Fletcher, the class valedictorian, took the stage with the Palestinian flag pinned on his stole and on his cap.
—Maya King, New York Times, 19 May 2024
Isaiah Duran, Louisville Male — $10,200 A valedictorian at Male, Duran balances his academic coursework with his job at UPS as a participant in the School to Work program.
—Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 17 May 2024
The week’s biggest stories (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
Campus protests and commencement
In a moment of joy, silenced USC valedictorian graduates amid campus turmoil.
—Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2024
After graduating as valedictorian from South Pasadena High School in 1945, McCloskey attended Occidental College and California Institute of Technology.
—Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 8 May 2024
The University of Southern California made a similar call last month, following dozens of arrests and the cancelation of the Los Angeles campus' valedictorian speaker.
—Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 7 May 2024
Popular on Variety This announcement came less than a week after USC sparked controversy by barring its valedictorian, Asna Tabassum, a first-generation South-Asian American Muslim student, from delivering her commencement address.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 20 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'valedictorian.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Valedictorian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/valedictorian. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
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