Understanding Valedictorian and Salutatorian?

I'm a bit confused y'all... What's the exact difference between a valedictorian and a salutatorian? Intentions of becoming either one, but I don't exactly get their meaning, does it depend on the high school or is it universal?

In most high schools in the US, the terms valedictorian and salutatorian have specific meanings tied to academic rankings.

The valedictorian is the student with the highest weighted GPA in the graduating class. As such, they've achieved the highest academic performance across all their coursework. In addition to being an academic honor, being named valedictorian also often comes with the opportunity to deliver a speech at graduation.

The salutatorian is the student with the second highest weighted GPA in their graduating class, right after the valedictorian. The salutatorian can also be an inspirational figure to their peers, and like the valedictorian, may have the chance to speak at graduation ceremonies, although this varies from school to school.

It's important to remember that while these terms are widespread, not all high schools use them. Some schools may award multiple valedictorians if students have the same GPA, while others may avoid ranking students altogether. Also, the importance of these positions in the college admissions process can be variable. Some colleges may consider if a student is valedictorian or salutatorian, and others may not. Schools are more often interested in a student's overall academic performance and rigor of their coursework.

It's great to aim for these positions, as they do demonstrate significant academic achievement—but at the end of the day, it's important to focus on academic and personal growth. Being valedictorian or salutatorian won't significantly enhance your college application if you're a otherwise strong student, but being a strong student will.