So I’m a senior and I’m valedictorian. My school determines top ten using unweighted GPA–meaning mine is the highest, However, my weighted class rank is actually 2–the girl who is 1 weighted (and 2 unweighted) has probably taken at least 3 more AP’s than I have (and harder ones too–AP Physics 1 & 2 vs. AP Physics 1, AP Physics C vs. AP Bio). I guess I just feel awful because I know she really wanted to be valedictorian, and wanted that speech–and I kind of feel like I stole that from her by taking easier classes (NOT that I took easier classes to purposely boost my rank–I just took as many as I thought I could handle). People tell me they are happy I’m val (because the no. 2 girl has a history of being absent on test days), and I guess I’m proud of myself, but I just feel this underlying dreadfulness that I kind of robbed her of being val. And I could have taken more difficult classes–I didn’t take APUSH or AP World, or AP Chem or AP Comp Sci, but I also just didn’t want to, and I thought my mental health was more important. But now I kind of wish I just sucked it up and did it–and I just feel awful.
You didn’t make the rules. You have nothing to feel guilty over. If you wanted to though, you could go to your administration and ask if it would be possible to have co-valedictorians. They might not go for it, but you won’t know unless you ask.
If you didn’t want to do that though, you are under no obligation.
Don’t feel guilty because you didn’t make the rules. It is just the way things fell out. if you want to ask the principal if he/she would let the #2 say a few words as well you can do so.
This is not your fault at all! And there’s really no reason for the other girl to get upset because she’s #2! You are both very accomplished and should be proud. Does only the valedictorian give a speech at your school? At mine the valedictorian & salutatorian give speeches, along with two other students who were picked after they submitted their speech. Congrats on being valedictorian!
Thanks. And both val and sal give speeches.
“the no.2 girl has a history of being absent on test days” suggests that you were/are the rightful winner of the valedictorian designation.
My DD is val, we did everything we could, including spreadsheets, to verify that whatever courses she took vs her 2 closest competitors would keep her up top. It is very competitive. You followed the rules and congratulations.
That’s a big leap from not much info.
Don’t feel bad- you did nothing wrong. Since both #1 and #2 give speeches… this girl will also be acknowledged. And once you leave HS… none of this will matter.
Val and sal are mostly just a big deal to those in those slots. Colleges aren’t that enamored of it. So congrats, but don’t feel guilty about the sal’s situation.
Hold your head up high, young lady! You earned it! Don’t let anyone (including yourself) make you feel guilty about your achievement! That’s just the way it is at all schools.
How do you already know without spring grades?
A spreadsheet to ensure Validictorian and tracking rivals? This sounds insane.
Speakers at my kids’ school try out and are chosen by a panel of teachers.
Is there really only 1 kid who has a 4.0 UW? That seems strange to me. Anyways, I think UW GPA is a more valid method of choosing valedictorian than WGPA, so don’t feel guilty for one second.
“I didn’t take APUSH or AP World, or AP Chem or AP Comp Sci, but I also just didn’t want to, and I thought my mental health was more important.”
…and you want some very reachy colleges.
@lookingforward I’m also taking five AP’s this year, including BC Calc…so I kind of feel like that’s enough for me lol. And most of my colleges aren’t too “reachy”…
@Studious99 my school uses a 100 pt grading system. No one has a 100 UW…