salutatorian

The student with the second highest academic rank in a class who delivers the salutatory at graduation exercises.

In American colleges, the member of a graduating class who pronounces the salutatory oration at the annual commencement exercises.

The student who pronounces the salutatory oration at the annual Commencement or like exercises of a college, — an honor commonly assigned to that member of the graduating class who ranks second in scholarship.

The person who graduates high school with the second highest GPA and is thus gives a salutatorian’s address during the graduation ceremony.

a graduating student with the second highest academic rank; may deliver the opening address at graduation exercises