Valedictorian is an academic title of success used in the United States, Canada, and other countries for the student who delivers the closing or farewell statement or a Valediction at a graduation or convocation ceremony. The chosen valedictorian is traditionally the student with the highest ranking or highest Grade Point Average, among their graduating class. The valedictory address generally is considered a final farewell or goodbye speech to classmates and the school before they disperse to pursue their individual paths after graduating. From the question since Frances GPA is very high and she graduated with honors, she is also to speak during the convocation ceremony, she is most likely giving a valedictory speech.
For example, Roderick says "I must perish in this bounden slave" (Poe, pg9) foreshadows that Roderick will die. Poe also foreshadows Madeline's death because she has a cataleptical disease that makes her sleep for long periods. This is an example because they can't really tell if she dead or just sleeping.
