Identical twin sisters Oprah and Eleanor Nkera have achieved a remarkable milestone, graduating as valedictorian and salutatorian from Medford High School. This fall, they will continue their academic journey together at Harvard University.
Academic Excellence and Sibling Support
Eleanor Nkera, the salutatorian, graduated with an impressive GPA of 4.45, while her sister Oprah narrowly edged her out for the valedictorian title with a GPA of 4.46. Despite their academic prowess, the sisters were surprised by their top rankings.
“It was kind of a surprise. We’ve always worked hard throughout our academic career, but obviously valedictorian and salutatorian weren’t what we expected,” said Oprah.
The sisters, the youngest of five siblings, have lived in Medford their entire lives. Their parents moved to the United States from the Republic of Congo before they were born. Eleanor is named after her godmother, and Oprah was named after Oprah Winfrey.
“When my parents immigrated to the United States, it was kind of hard for them to learn English, so my mom used to watch Oprah to learn English,” Oprah explained.
Extracurricular Involvement
Both sisters have been heavily involved in extracurricular activities at Medford High School. They played on the tennis team, participated in the garden club, and took nearly every AP class together. Their collaborative spirit extends beyond academics, as they also initiated a club called Seeds to Feed during the pandemic to address food insecurity. This club revitalized the school garden, with produce donated to local food banks and community refrigerators.
Looking Ahead to Harvard
At Harvard, the twins plan to pursue separate academic paths. Eleanor will major in bioengineering, while Oprah intends to study neuroscience. They are excited about the opportunity to explore their individual interests and meet a diverse array of people.
“We both, like, want to kind of make our separate paths,” said Oprah. “Harvard will be a chance for us to branch out and meet people, but then, like, stay close at the same time.”
The twins are looking forward to the independence that comes with college life, including having separate dorm rooms for the first time.
Family and Community Support
The Nkera sisters credit their success to the support of their family and community. Their father, Nkera “Deo” Rukubanuka, completed nursing school in Congo and later obtained a master’s degree from Brandeis University. Their mother, Marie Muderhwa, received a certificate in early childhood education from Bunker Hill Community College. Their siblings have also pursued higher education, with one brother working towards a doctoral degree at Brown University, a sister who graduated from UMass Lowell, and another brother who graduated from Yale University.
“I think our parents are like our biggest motivators because they came here so we could have a better life,” Eleanor said. “So, of course, they’re always pushing us to do our best.”
Valedictory and Salutatory Addresses
During the graduation ceremony at Hormel Stadium, the twins delivered inspiring speeches to their classmates. Eleanor drew inspiration from her physics teacher, likening her classmates to “quarks,” the fundamental particles that make up all visible matter in the universe.
“Truth be told, every one of us here acts as a particle,” she said. “Regardless of where we come from, we’re united by our shared collisions within the walls of our school.”
Oprah’s speech touched on the unique experience of being an identical twin, opening with the humorous question, “Which one are you?”
“These four mere words form one of the most annoying questions to ask an identical twin,” she said, eliciting laughter from the audience. She went on to urge her classmates to embrace integrity, generosity, and compassion, while addressing pressing issues like climate change and social justice.
“Most importantly, let us remember that the sum of our decisions has the power to transform the future,” she concluded.
Future Aspirations and Summer Plans
This summer, the Nkera twins are focused on earning money to support their college expenses. They will be working at Wright’s Pond, a well-known local swimming area, and interning at Harvard Student Agencies. Eleanor will also work a third job as a secretary at a nursing home.
Their high school guidance counselor, Krista Normandin, praised their dedication and humility.
“They are brilliant students with the most humble, down-to-earth mentality,” Normandin said. “They are the first to help their peers and get involved in the community.”
As they prepare to embark on their next chapter at Harvard, Oprah and Eleanor Nkera hope to inspire others to achieve their dreams through hard work and perseverance.
Jeremiah Bledsoe, an 18-year-old African American student from Fort Worth, Texas, has been accepted to over 40 colleges and universities, a testament to his outstanding academic achievements and dedication to community service. He credits his success to his commitment to serving others and the unwavering support of his community.
A senior at Nolan Catholic High School, Jeremiah has received several prestigious awards and grants, including the Hershey Heartwarming Hero Award, the Power of Youth Award, and recognition from Youth Service America. For the past decade, he has devoted his time to visiting nursing homes and donating essential items to elderly residents, an initiative that has profoundly impacted his life and the lives of those he serves.
Jeremiah’s passion for helping others was inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Health, which emphasizes the importance of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages. “We are living during a global pandemic, and we cannot leave our elders behind,” he explained. His dedication to this cause has been a driving force behind his community service efforts.
Looking ahead to college, Jeremiah plans to continue his service to the elderly while pursuing higher education. He is excited about using social enterprises to create innovative solutions for societal problems. His own social enterprise, J8 Creative, provides multimedia and content creation solutions, with a portion of the proceeds supporting elderly residents in senior living facilities. Read more about Jeremiah Bledsoe here.
