So super screwed up WGPA system at my school has resulted in a completely unexpected person being #1. We don’t know our ranks until we ask for them, hence this surprise. Problem is this person gets on my (and everyone else’s) nerves. Imagine a CCer without any real academic talent and lots of arrogance and bam.
Funny part is that the individual doesn’t know they’re #1. Lol.
SO long story short, any thoughts on reacting both now and once they find out they’re #1? With me being #2 (and not trying to be arrogant here but everyone thought I was #1 until this week), I know I won’t be able to sit quietly while #1 brags about how she pulled off this major upset. And explaining that rank doesn’t really matter isn’t really possible without making myself sound jealous, since I’m right behind #1…
Why do you say your classmate does not have talent? Her grader is higher than yours. And you tried you push her down but you could not. What does that say? And it looks like she did want to push you down (did not know that she is #1). You should congratulate her.
Why do you have to say anything? Take the high road and don’t be mean. Act like it’s no big deal. Which it’s not. Nobody’s going to care who was #1 vs #2 vs #152 after you graduate.
Kid at my school thought he’d be valedictorian from middle school onward. He ended up 5th, as far as I know. Things happen.
Ok with like 20 minutes of hindsight, what I wrote earlier was a largely incoherent rant.
Maybe I’m just slightly bitter haha.
Lots of people would be!
I think annoying people are a lot more manageable when you can just acknowledge that they’re annoying and think to yourself, “Well, I’m smarter than you anyway” or “Well, I have better test scores” or “Well, my puppy’s cuter than yours.” 
If you’re perfectly pleasant on the outside, no harm done to silently let off some steam on the inside.
“Congratulations.” That’s all you have to say.
Say nothing now and offer congratulations later. This is pretty straightforward.
1st is the worst, 2nd is the best… :P. Maturity at its finest!
Congratulate her and move on. Sal is pretty darn good too!
You know this does not mean she’s necessarily smarter than you, has worked harder, or is more accomplished.
Sometimes, because of the way school classes are set up-- even in middle schools – these things happen with GPAs.
Know you are not alone - we’ve seen this happen before with friends and their kids. A kid we know had perfect scores, and is currently attending a HYP school was not #1 because of how an orchestra class was weighted.
Obviously you’ve both done well - keep it up and dont worry. Keep it inside like @bodangles mentions. It’s almost over. Enjoy your time!