i've known two valedictorians so far
As of today, I know of two valedictorians and both are wives at the time of graduation.
One was my college ex's wife and the other who graduated today with her valedictorian award is my sister-in-law.
Them being wives is of more import to me than it is to them. Because I remember crying when I saw my college ex praising his wife for her valedictorian award. It wasn't because I wanted him to do that for me.
I cried because I wanted a significant other of mine to be proud of me like that. I was in a relationship, but that relationship ended before I got my Master's degree.
So once again in my life, I graduated with no significant other to praise me for my intelligence.
Needless, I'm no valedictorian. I'm not brilliant, nor the pinnacle of excellence, not to be awarded, with nothing new to say nor no innovation to speak of.
I feel like I am a disappointment even to myself. I never tried to be excellent, because I've always been told that somebody else could be. That somebody else would be. I never believed myself to be brilliant, therefore there was no need for me to compete.
Why should I? It's exhausting.
My brother is filled with pride for his wife, and my father is happy to have a daughter whose line of study is closest to his in engineering and sciences.
I could never be anything like it.