How do you guys feel about having multiple valedictorians?

Question

I come from a high school where we always have only one valedictorian. I remember when my roomate in college told me that he was one of 3 valedictorians and that they had all taken the same amount of AP and honor classes and all gotten straight As. I thought that was too many but then I found ou that one of my friends was one of 12 valedictorians. He claims that its because of their large graduating class but both of ours were around 800. Everybody in my graduating class got at least one B and I know that none of the upper classmen that graduated while I was in high school or since I've graduated have gotten straight A's

Answer 1

It makes no sense. I know it's competitive, cutthroat, etc., but multiple valedictorians doesn't solve that, it just makes the number one position less valuable.

I've never heard of that before. Maybe just that one school did it so its "valedictorians" could all have better chances of getting into good universities? However, the indefinite article gives it away. If you're one of three, you have to say you're "a" valedictorian, not "the".

I hope this isn't a trend that catches on!

Answer 2

"Real" life is competitive. Corporations can't have more than one CEO. The mission of a school should be to prepare us for living in this difficult world. Schools have a Salutatorian as well as a Valedictorian. It is understood that the Valedictorian is Number 1 and the Salutatorian is Number 2. There's more to being #1 than grades; there's activities, community service, and clubs. Sometimes, we try too hard to bring everything down to its lowest common denominator.

Answer 3

There can only be one #1, one best student. It's ridiculous to have multiple valedictorians because it makes what should be an amazing achievement that much less valuable. Our school has only one valedictorian per graduating class. I know that won't be me next year but I can't wait to cheer on the ONE person who receives the well-earned honor next year.