The role of a single valedictorian in high school graduations is quickly becoming extinct. Educational institutions are instead looking to recognize several outstanding students for a broad range of reasons.

Traditionally, in the United States and Canada an educational institution will choose a single valedictorian who is the highest ranking student academically.

The role of this individual is to give the final speech at their graduation giving the final farewell and passing on some words of wisdom as the graduating class ventures off into the real world.

Rising controversy over unfair selection systems and students taking advantage of these systems to rank higher has led to the fast decline in the role of a valedictorian in high schools across the United States.

Washington High School no longer gives the valedictorian title. The last time WHS recognized a valedictorian was more than thirty years ago at the class of 1976’s graduation. Jeff Matloff, according to the May 27, 1976 issue of The Rampage, was the final valedictorian WHS recognized.

"For many years schools all over the country have somehow computed an average for a student, and the highest average was honored valedictorian and the next highest was salutatorian. Many schools have stopped this because the difference between valedictorian and salutatorian was so small that it didn’t really matter which had the highest honor," Assistant Principal James Wright told The Rampage in 1977.

The year 1977 was the first year WHS did not have one valedictorian but recognized the top thirteen students with the top five giving speeches.

Over the years, WHS has altered who has the privilege to speak. The amount of time and size of the graduating class is the utimate deciding factor.

Typically, WHS has the top one percent of the graduating class deliver academic speeches at graduation. The student body president and class officers often speak to present the senior gift and goodbyes.

According to counselor Brenda Davis, this allows more outstanding students to be recognized for their accomplishments at graduation.

With this year’s large graduating class of 371 students, time is limited to the speakers and has forced the school to limit the number of speakers.

"There are about 100 more graduates this year than last year," Principal Carol Lippert said.

The problem of who gets to speak at graduation has sparked the early stages of debate over which process is more fair to students.

Some schools have the entire class nominate and vote on who they wish to have speak for them at graduation.

"Having a vote rather than a competition between the top students better represents the student body’s voice," senior Tran Thai said.

Other schools hold an essay or speech writting contest to decide who is better qualified to give the speeches at graduation.

"If students write an essay, the selection process will be based on the skill to speak and write a memorable goodbye rather than popularity or GPA," sophomore Sally Lopez said.

No matter what policy WHS decides to choose or which speakers the school recognizes, graduation is a special moment for every senior.

"The focus should be on the students and their moment of accomplishment and not any one specific speaker," Lippert said.