Salutatorian

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In the United States and Canada, the title of salutatorian is given to the second-highest graduate of the entire graduating class of an educational institution. This honor is traditionally based on grades and overall GPA, but consideration is also often given to other factors such as extracurricular activities. (Princeton University chooses a "Latin salutatorian" based on the ability to write and deliver a speech to the audience in that language; thus, the speaker is typically a Classics major.) The title comes from the salutatorian's traditional role as the first speaker at the graduation ceremony, delivering the salutatory speech. In the high school setting, a salutatorian may also be asked to speak about the past lives of the current graduating class or to deliver an invocation or benediction.