Valedictorian

Valedictorian is an academic title conferred upon the student who delivers the closing or farewell statement at a graduation ceremony (called a valedictory). Valedictorians are usually the student with the highest ranking among his or her graduating class. The term is an anglicized derivation of the Latin vale dicere ("to say farewell"), historically rooted in the valedictorian's traditional role as the final speaker at the graduation ceremony. The valedictory address generally is considered a final farewell to classmates, before they disperse to pursue their individual paths after graduating. The term is most often used in the USA, Canada, and The Philippines. Its equivalent in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Iceland, and Scotland is dux. Its equivalent in France is "Major de promotion".