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valedictorian vs. salutatorian

valedictorian

[val-i-dik-tawr-ee-uhn, -tohr-] / ˌvæl ɪ dɪkˈtɔr i ən, -ˈtoʊr- /

noun

a student, usually the one ranking highest academically in a school graduating class, who delivers the valedictory at the commencement exercises.

salutatorian

[suh-loo-tuh-tawr-ee-uhn, -tohr-] / səˌlu təˈtɔr i ən, -ˈtoʊr- /

noun

(in some U.S. schools and colleges) the student ranking second highest in the graduating class, who delivers the salutatory at commencement.