<p>There are many ways to excel in high school. They should all be encouraged, not buried. Over-the-top competitive attitudes should be discouraged. I think that a combined cum laude and valedictory system solves several problems. Our high school finally did this. Summa cum laude for the top 3% - 4% takes a lot of pressure off the XX valedictorian problem. The graduated steps, magna and cum laude, give everyone a shot at a piece of the pie without "all or nothing". A shared valedictorian should have a narrow, predefined mathematical basis e.g. half of a 7th semester's letter sign (~0.003) in the cumulative grades that could be considered an indistinguishable difference. I would also favor a secondary "power formula", wt'd GPA x course load for tie breaking more than 2 valedictorians or for even primary ranking use. </p>
<p>Valedictorian should represent an impressive achievement in work and time management with ability, not manipulation. For mine, that meant 6 to 6 for activities, extra music, and full classes (5 AP, 7 classes in a 6 course day) her senior year with some short nights, and a good looking boy friend.</p>