Twin Brothers Graduate as Valedictorian and Salutatorian, Say Their Goal Was Simply to Excel

Twin brothers Alberto and Steven Torres graduated as valedictorian and salutatorian of their high school after years of hard work and teamwork, and they hope their achievement inspires future generations in their family to pursue higher education.

Eighteen-year-old twin brothers Alberto and Steven Torres have achieved an outstanding academic milestone by graduating as the valedictorian and salutatorian of Notre Dame High School’s Class of 2026 in Connecticut. Despite earning the top two academic positions in their graduating class, the brothers revealed that becoming valedictorian and salutatorian was never part of their original plan.

According to Alberto, they were surprised when their school guidance counselor informed them that they were among the leading students in their class. He explained that their initial goal was simply to graduate within the top five percent of their classmates. Once they realized they had a realistic chance of finishing first and second, they became even more determined to maintain their strong academic performance until graduation.

The achievement carried special meaning for the brothers because they moved from Puerto Rico to Connecticut at the age of seven and had to learn English after arriving in the United States. Alberto said receiving the valedictorian award reminded him of the many challenges, sacrifices and years of dedication that led to the moment. Steven shared similar feelings, saying all the late nights spent studying, completing assignments and preparing for exams made the accomplishment worthwhile.

Rather than competing against each other, the twins said they worked as a team throughout high school. They regularly studied together and helped each other prepare for tests. Whenever one brother was occupied with extracurricular activities such as athletics or theatre rehearsals, the other would create study materials, practice questions or summaries to ensure they both stayed on track academically. They credited this teamwork as one of the major reasons behind their success.

The brothers also acknowledged the unwavering support of their parents, who encouraged them to pursue their interests without pressure. Instead of spending most weekends socializing, they often chose to participate in educational activities such as Model United Nations conferences and academic competitions. Their graduation ceremony, which coincided with their 18th birthday on May 9, became even more memorable as they celebrated becoming the first members of their family to attend college.

This fall, Alberto and Steven will continue their education together at Boston University, where both plan to study on the pre-med track with the goal of building careers in medicine. They explained that the university’s generous financial aid package played a significant role in their decision to enroll there. Looking ahead, the brothers hope their achievement will inspire younger relatives and future generations in their family to believe that higher education is attainable and that pursuing a university degree can open doors to greater opportunities.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, PEOPLE MAGAZINE