salutatorian

[ suh-loo-tuh-tawr-ee-uh n, -tohr- ]

/ səˌlu təˈtɔr i ən, -ˈtoʊr- /

(in some U.S. schools and colleges) the student ranking second highest in the graduating class, who delivers the salutatory at commencement.

Origin of salutatorian

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; salutatory + -an

INSIDER TIP: Head downtown for salutatorian Fusion Taco, another food truck turned brick-and-mortar.

Foodie Heaven in Houston |Michele Meyer |July 10, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
A scholar-athlete, he was salutatorian in his graduating class.

Peyton Manning Vs. Richard Sherman |Allen Barra |January 31, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
But Bettie, with a 97.19 average, was beat out by .14 points, and had to settle for Salutatorian status.

‘Bettie Page Reveals All,’ A Close-Up Look at the Pinup Goddess and Sexual Icon |Marlow Stern |November 23, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
May 29, 1884, he graduated from the Atlanta Baptist College as salutatorian.

Twentieth Century Negro Literature |Various

All the salutatorian had to do was to sit still and hear what the other speakers had to say and feel good.

Princeton Stories |Jesse Lynch Williams