valedictorian

[ val-i-dik-tawr-ee-uh n, -tohr- ]

/ ˌvæl ɪ dɪkˈtɔr i ən, -ˈtoʊr- /

a student, usually the one ranking highest academically in a school graduating class, who delivers the valedictory at the commencement exercises.

Origin of valedictorian

An Americanism dating back to 1750–60; valedictory + -an

He had been valedictorian at his high school and was a student at the University of Pennsylvania.

The Murder Trial Next Door: Drew Peterson vs. Christopher Vaughn |Michael Daly |September 5, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Chan attended Quincy High School in Massachusetts and graduated as valedictorian in 2003.

Who Is Priscilla Chan, New Wife of Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg? | |May 21, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
In 1874 she was graduated from the high school of her native place as valedictorian of the class.

Two Decades |Frances W. Graham and Georgeanna M. Gardenier
I have seen a valedictorian of a leading college deep down in a gravel mine, directing his hydraulic pipe against the bank.

A Breeze from the Woods, 2nd Ed. |William Chauncey Bartlett

At least the valedictorian will hail from this dear old quartette room.

Ruth Fielding in Moving Pictures |Alice Emerson
Of course, he was the valedictorian of his class—Illinois College, 1881.

New York Times Current History; The European War, Vol 2, No. 4, July, 1915 |Various
From time to time the valedictorian would stagger as you have seen horses do on their last trip to the glue-factory.

H. R. |Edwin Lefevre

valedictorian

/ (ˌvælɪdɪkˈtɔːrɪən) /

saying goodbye

of or relating to a farewell or an occasion of farewell

US and Canadian a person, usually the most outstanding graduate, who delivers a farewell speech at a graduation ceremony