Standing on the stage ready to deliver their speech, this is the moment they have prepared for, some, for all of high school. Their dedication has reached a climax at this very moment.
The title of valedictorian is awarded to the top student of the senior class, however AGHS has taken a different approach. In 2020, AGHS staff decided to change the standard one valedictorian to multiple valedictorians. In 2022, AGHS awarded 10 students the honor of valedictorian.
While the honor of valedictorian is highlighted by its competitiveness, 10 valedictorians allows for more individuals to be recognized for their academic success throughout high school.
Sandy Peterson, one of last year’s valedictorians was a part of this new system.
“It lowered its value a little bit because being among 10 made it less impressive, compared to having just one valedictorian, It does kind of take away the meaning,” Peterson said.
She believes the recognition of multiple students lowers the title’s inherent value and decreases the competition.
“Since there are multiple valedictorians, there isn’t as much competition,” Peterson said.
The valedictorian field naturally highlights competitiveness. 10 valedictorians allows for more students to be recognized for their academics during high school. As top schools become more and more competitive, standing out becomes harder.
The shift from a single valedictorian to multiple valedictorians is a decision that will affect future students, leading them to adapt to the new changes made.
One of the top students of the 2024 class, Tristan Bird, sees the benefits in the changes made by staff regarding the new valedictorian process,
“Students are used to being top of the class in everything,” Bird said. “It can prepare them for the real world where there are other people who are better than you, and that you aren’t going to be the best at everything.”
Telling students that they are the best as young adults sets them up for failure later in life as there is always someone better. Also, if students fight for a single spot there becomes an unspoken competition that brews among the top students.
“With the unhealthy levels of competition, administration, counselors, and staff had to come together and decide that this one system of valedictorian isn’t worth the cheating, and the backstabbing that occurred to achieve that position,” Bird said.
Highlighting a single valedictorian can create unhealthy relationships between students and their studies. Fighting for one spot also creates a toxic environment among top students.
Single valedictorians create unnecessary stress and pressure on students who feel they must achieve their goals, sometimes through potentially unethical or unhealthy methods. This, in some cases, can harbor elements of cheating amongst students to maintain their straight-A’s.
“When grades mean so much in the top ten, kids can get overwhelmed, sometimes the class is so hard. No matter how hard you try, nothing seems to work,” Peterson said.
For some students, cheating becomes an outlet to achieve success and their goals. If this cheating goes unnoticed, it creates an unfair advantage.
When students experience pressure, their first option shouldn’t be cheating. However, cheating can be it a difficult habit to break.
“Students shouldn’t have to (cheat), but there are levels to it.” Bird said.
Students cheat at varying degrees, but it becomes a problem when students consistently cheat.
Having 10 valedictorians is one factor in solving that problem. An increase in the number of spots means a higher chance at being recognized by colleges.
Past students have found this experience beneficial.
“The work I did was worth it because of what colleges I got into, I do not regret it,” Peterson said.
One of the colleges Peterson was accepted to was UCSD, which is where she eventually committed to.
Bird may not have pushed himself to the level of valedictorian, and the award doesn’t mean the same to all students.
“…I’ve spent so much time dedicating myself to it, I might as well earn that spot”. Bird said.
Receiving the honor of valedictorian is a monumental achievement regardless of the number of students that receive the same award. Becoming valedictorian shows a student’s dedication, motivation, and consistency throughout the past 4 years. And no matter the amount of valedictorians, this is an award that shows academic excellence, something every student likely takes pride in.
