The Seneca Valley school board is considering a proposal which would allow seniors to audition for the honor of speaking at their commencement ceremony.

The board plans to vote on it next week.

For years and years, school districts across the country have called on the valedictorian and salutatorian — the top two academic students in the graduating class — to speak at commencement.

Derived from Latin words, salutatorian comes from the word salutatory, which means welcoming, and that person spoke before the ceremony started. Valedictorian means farewell, and that person speaks last. The class president also typically would address those attending at some point during the ceremony.

Under the Seneca Valley proposal, commencement speakers would be chosen from among seniors in “good standing” who succeed in auditioning for the honor.

A handful of school districts in Butler County already have adopted similar policies, and the valedictorian and salutatorian will continue to be announced at the end of each school year, Matt McKinley, Seneca Valley’s assistant superintendent, told the board Monday.

But a couple of board members voiced their opposition to the proposal, including Leslie Bredl, who said “I’m struggling with this ... It’s an unexpected, unanticipated change,” adding, “I just fear that we are not rewarding those individuals who have achieved those levels.“

Jim Nickel, board president, said his thinking is along the same lines.

Sure, there may be a student who has overcome extenuating odds or obstacles in order to graduate, and he or she would be worthy to share their story at commencement. But those who work hard to graduate at the top of their class also should be given that honor.

The board offered no details on how the auditions would unfold or who would select commencement speakers, but the board should make those guidelines available to the public or at least discuss the plan with residents before it votes next week.

The audition system may work out well, but let’s hope the board doesn’t overlook the top academic students, who also should be given a chance to speak. Why allow others the opportunity to do so simply because they can deliver a good speech?

–JG