Students in Cherry Creek Schools head back to class on Monday, but beginning with the graduating class of 2026, the district will no longer recognize valedictorians and students won’t be given the title. The district says it’s an outdated and inconsistent process, but some former and current students don’t agree.
Valedictorian is a title given to the highest-performing student in the class. Often, the valedictorian also delivers a speech at graduation.
Jennifer Tejawijaya will be a senior this year at Cherokee Trail High School. She’s part of the first graduation class impacted and recalls when she learned about the district’s decision…