A valedictorian is the student with the highest academic achievements in their graduating class and is chosen to give a speech at their graduation ceremony. Full definition
A young woman whose grades earned her the distinction of valedictorian of her 2003 high school class, Green never gave the commencement speech or walked across the stage with her classmates. (host.madison.com)
I also graduated as valedictorian of Friendship Collegiate in 2003. (friendshipschools.org)
It's graduation season and we have a great Louisiana Scholarship Program success story — Lutheran High School valedictorian Jessica Waddell. (louisiana4children.org)