It's only 8th grade!

Valedictorian does not mean 'exclude all'. It does not give you permission to make a speech extolling your virtues, bragging about your grade point average and telling your class, rather condescendingly, that you are "no different than any of them". Being first in your class gives you the opportunity to speak FOR your class, not TO them, and not completely negating them.

Geez!... did she even run this by her parents or are they so blinded by the stunning achievements of their first born that they've lost perspective.

As my brother said afterward....I'm surprised she didn't break her arm patting herself on the back.