Mya and Madison Glover are not just twin sisters, they are also academic stars. The 18-year-old sisters from Toledo, Ohio, graduated as the valedictorian and salutatorian of their class at Toledo Early College High School, a prestigious program that allows students to earn college credits while in high school.
Mya, who earned the highest GPA in her class, said she achieved her success by staying organized and ahead of her assignments. “I’ve always been the kind of person where I get everything done as soon as I get it, because I figure I better get it done now [instead of] later,” she said. “Just staying ahead of everything, because that gave me time to ask questions when I need it, and just get everything turned in when I needed to.”
Madison, who came in second place, said she was more of a procrastinator than her sister, but she made up for it with hard work and dedication. “I would go to all of the study sessions, be at the library, doing the tutoring sessions, so just putting in the work — and then, knowing when I need the help, I can ask for the help,” she said.
The sisters also credited their family for their support and encouragement. “We have a very supportive family. They always push us to do our best and they’re always there for us,” Madison said.
The sisters graduated on May 16 with a 3.9 GPA each, with only a difference of a few decimals. They also earned their associate degrees from the University of Toledo before their high school graduation, thanks to the Toledo Early College program that allows students to take college courses starting from ninth grade.
The program is highly selective and rigorous, admitting only 100 students per year out of hundreds of applicants. According to the school’s website, the program aims to “prepare students for success in college by providing them with an accelerated curriculum that challenges them academically and personally.”
The sisters are among the few Black students who have participated in the program, which has a majority white enrollment. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, only 15% of the students at Toledo Early College High School were Black in 2020-2021, compared to 78% who were white.
The sisters said they faced some challenges and stereotypes as Black students in a predominantly white environment, but they did not let that stop them from pursuing their dreams. “We just had to prove ourselves and show them that we can do this too,” Mya said.
The sisters are also role models for other Black students who aspire to achieve academic excellence. According to a report by The Education Trust, Black students are underrepresented among high-achieving students in the U.S., especially in advanced courses and gifted programs. The report found that Black students make up only 6% of Advanced Placement exam takers, 4% of National Merit Scholarship finalists, and 3% of students in gifted programs.
The sisters hope to inspire other Black students to follow their footsteps and challenge themselves academically. “Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try new things,” Madison said. “You never know what you’re capable of until you try.”
The sisters plan to continue their education at the University of Toledo, where they both earned full scholarships. Mya wants to major in biology and pursue a career in medicine, while Madison wants to major in engineering and become an aerospace engineer.
The sisters said they are excited for their future and grateful for their achievements. They also said they are proud of each other and happy to share this moment together. “We’re very close. We do everything together,” Mya said. “We’re each other’s best friends.”
Denisha and Destiny Caldwell are also making great waves online. They are identical twin sisters who have achieved remarkable academic success. They graduated as the valedictorian and salutatorian of their class at Scotlandville Magnet High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They also received more than $24 million in college scholarships and over 200 offers from different schools.
The sisters, who are 18 years old, said they used to compete against each other, but later decided to work together and support each other. “In the end we said, ‘Let’s just work together and end at the top.’ It’s an unbreakable bond. Once you see me, you know you’re going to see Destiny,” Denisha said. “There’s no separation between us; we are two hearts apart,” Destiny added.
The Caldwell sisters have been involved in various extracurricular activities, such as competitive dance, the Stanford University emergency medicine program, and internships at the Artz Performance Academy. They also volunteered for the Butterfly Society, an organization that helps domestic violence survivors. Denisha enjoys writing, robotics and solving puzzles, while Destiny loves math, community service and dancing. Read more about Denisha and Destiny here.