Fewer schools are declaring valedictorians.

An anthropologist says the words of the speeches aren't as important as the graduation ritual.

Who They Are
See valedictorians' names and schools from:

Valedictorians Approach Life With Energy, Perspective

This year's class of Washington-area valedictorians found time for extensive studying and numerous extracurricular activities. But something had to give.

"I missed a lot of sleep this year," said Victoria Tillson, 17, of Silver Spring, valedictorian at Paint Branch High School in Montgomery County.

"I haven't seen my mom in about two weeks," laughed Clay Ackerley II, 18, of the District, who received top honors at the St. Albans School. He juggles crew, a full-time job at the National Institutes of Health, and bartending school at night.

Others worried about saving time for fun.

"Education is important, don't get me wrong. I was in just about every activity," said Angela Breaker, 16, valedictorian at the District's Anacostia High School. "But there are more things to life. You're supposed to have fun. I'm still young!" she said.

The valedictorian is traditionally the high school student with the top academic standing. Some schools give the honor to an individual, while others give the prize to all students with a 4.0 or higher grade point average.

Some schools don't have valedictorians but give awards for academic achievement, with candidates selected by students, faculty or administrators. Other schools don't rank their students at all.

What's clear from interviews with some area valedictorians is that the energy that drives them to academic excellence also leads them to overcome obstacles.

Six years ago, Cristina Berrios didn't know a word of English. This month, she graduated with top honors from the District's Cardozo High School. Studying English first for herself and then to help her mother, she mastered the language within a year and set her sights on medical school.

"Since I come from another country, I'm used to studying a lot," said Cristina, 18, who came to the United States in 1991 from El Salvador. "My parents set pretty high standards."

Immigrants arrived in this year's valedictorian class from all over the globe. Rockville's Danielle Viens, 18, will be returning to her native Montreal to attend college at McGill University. After 10 years in the States, she's glad she's kept up her first language of French.

"My parents force us to speak it at home, and I'm really grateful that they did. I've discovered it's really important to be bilingual. It opens up new worlds for you," she said.

Hayfield's Christopher Percy has lived in America and Europe but aims to travel the world—in an Air Force jet. Christopher, 18, who is following his father's footsteps into the military, says his dad has provided the inspiration he needed to excel.

"He can do whatever he wants if he sets his mind to it, and he gets people to respect him at the same time. ... I want the same thing for myself," said Christopher, a Lorton resident.

Many of the valedictorians cited determination and focus—setting their minds to their tasks—as the reasons they've succeeded. Some said they have been aiming for top honors since they entered high school.

"When I came to Anacostia my first day of school, I decided that I was going to be valedictorian," said Angela Breaker. "I told one of my friends, and she said, 'Well, you have competition.' ... When I talked to her not so long ago, she was a little surprised [about the award.] My family wasn't."

Many agreed perspective is also important.

"Academics are important, but ... even if I didn't get an 'A' grade, if I did my best I'd be happy," said Good Counsel High School's Natalie Branagan, 17, of Gaithersburg. "Try your best, and if you try your best, you've succeeded."