A valedictorian title is earned because of grades. So, even if the person with the highest grades refused to speak, they’d still own the title.

I don’t think any school would ~force~ a person to speak if they were seriously distraught over the idea. However, I imagine there’d be some strong social pressure.

“You’ve got to do it, your parents will be so proud…”

“You’ve got to do it, your classmates all look up to you…”

etc.

So, they couldn’t technically force a person to do it, but they could really put on the pressure and make the person feel obligated.

That might depend on your school. At my school, the “valedictorians” were the students with a 4.0 unweighted GPA, and the “salutatorians” were students with only 1 B, up to the first semester of 12th grade. The valedictorians and salutatorians had to audition to give a speech, and no one was forced to… the idea was that they had to audition for the “privilege” of giving a speech, but only a few of the val/sals wanted to. The class president (not a val/sal herself) also gave a speech, and hers might have been mandatory, I didn’t ask.

How big is your class? If you’re the ONLY valedictorian, then they’ll expect you to give a speech. And yes, “valedictorian” and “salutatorian” both technically MEAN “the person who gives the farewell speech” (“salute” is technically “welcome”, but they both refer to graduation-type speeches), more or less, but that’s not generally what’s meant by the term anymore– it’s just taken to mean the highest-ranking student, unless I’m much mistaken. If you’re that worried about it, and REALLY don’t want to, I very much doubt they’ll make you do it. If you’re the top in your class (or however your school assigns the title) then you should still be a “valedictorian” regardless of whether you actually give a speech– but again, it would depend on your school and how they assign the title.

The valedictorian is technically “the person who gives the farewell address.” If you are ranked number one in your class, and your school gives out the position of valedictorian based on class rank, you will have to give a speech. However, in some schools, the 12th grade class or the faculty pick out the best speeches. In that case, anyone in the graduating class can submit a speech, and upon selection of speeches, a person can become valedictorian or salutatorian. Then, class rank doesn’t have an impact on whether you get to be valedictorian or not. You’ll have to find out how your school does the speeches before you make any more assumptions.

I don’t know if you can be forced to give a speech if you are ranked first in your class (and that’s the way your school gives out the position), but certainly you will be expected to make the speech. Your peers will be wondering what’s wrong with you if you give up the opportunity.

I’ve never heard of a valedictorian being forced to make a speech, but I’ve never heard of one turning down the opportunity, either. Very few people are totally comfortable making a speech in front of all of those people, but it’s something that they’re all proud to be able to do, and I can’t imagine someone turning down the chance. If you really refused to make a speech, I can’t see how someone would strip you of your title, but why would you? Don’t let stage fright deter you.

I was valedictorian at my school, and I had to give a speech. I probably could have weaseled my way out of it, but I didn’t even try. One of my older cousins was valedictorian at a different school, and she didn’t have to give a speech. I guess it depends upon your school’s policy or traditions. If you weasel your way out of a speech while the salutatorian desperately wanted to give a speech, it would be kinda funny if only the runner-up did it. It’s not bad at all to give the valedictory address; I didn’t even think of the crowd when I gave my valedictory address. If you want to get out of it though, you could pretend to faint on your way up to give the speech; yep, that would do it.

I am pretty sure the speech is mandatory but if you don’t want to do it, I am sure there are ways of getting out of it!

you don’t have to. The person who want to give a speech give the speech.

oh you sound scared.

if you have to make a speech,, try talking to people in the stores, for confidence. call aunts and cousins

you are going to probaly shakey if

you dont practice. congrates! and you go girl!

it’s different for each school. You should just go ask your school counselor