LOGAN – Valedictorian is the academic title conferred upon the highest ranked student among those graduating from an educational institution, typically based upon the highest grade point average.
According to the Utah State University website, “A valedictorian is selected by each college of the University. Valedictorians from each academic unit compete for the privilege of being the university-wide student commencement speaker at the undergraduate ceremony.”
During next week’s USU commencement activities, graduating English major Kyla Dahle will serve as valedictorian for not only her college (Humanities and Social Sciences) but for the university at large.
She said becoming valedictorian isn’t because she’s the smartest person.
“While I worked very, very hard, that’s not it either,” Dahle explained. “I think I was chosen because I love school. I genuinely love going to class, doing homework, taking tests. I loved it all.”
She said there are majors that have clear outcomes, like engineering or teaching.
“But in CHaSS, you’re the architect of your own future. College won’t hand it to you, you have to build it yourself.”