Every year, Herricks High School on Long Island surprises its students with the announcement of the valedictorian and salutatorian. This year, the honors went to an exceptional pair of twins, Devon and Dylan Lee.
While excelling academically, Devon and Dylan also made sure to embrace the full high school experience. They participated in extracurricular activities and cherished time spent with friends. Devon, named valedictorian for achieving the highest GPA, is not only a dedicated athlete but also a talented musician. He has led his volleyball team to multiple conference championships and received All-County recognition. Furthermore, Devon is among the top 50 volleyball players on Long Island and shares his skills by teaching at a summer clinic that he co-founded. As a cellist, he has achieved National Association for Music Education All-State and All-Eastern Orchestra honors, performed at Carnegie Hall, and placed second at the New York Laureate International Music Competition.
Dylan, named salutatorian, also excelled both academically and athletically. He competed on the championship volleyball team and achieved first-place finishes in a 10K race and two half marathons. Additionally, Dylan has showcased his musical talents by receiving recognition in national jazz competitions. His contribution to the musical culture at Herricks has been commendable, ensuring that the jazz community remains vibrant.
The healthy competition between Devon and Dylan arises naturally due to their shared courses and activities. Devon describes it as a friendly dynamic where they can help each other while still maintaining a level of competitiveness.
The announcement of their valedictorian and salutatorian titles was a special moment for Devon and Dylan. They were surprised by their parents in the main office, with their sister, who had previously been named valedictorian and is now attending the California Institute of Technology, joining in on the celebration via FaceTime.
As they embark on their college journey, Devon will attend Cornell University to study computer science, while Dylan will attend Yale University to pursue biomedical engineering. It will be the first time the twins have ever lived apart, but they are equally nervous and excited about this new chapter in their lives.
The bond shared by Devon and Dylan is unique, allowing them to understand each other better than anyone else. Although there may be some nervousness about being separated, they are eager to experience the world on their own.
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Source: NBC Asian America