Twin Triumph: Tia and Tyra Smith Achieve 4.00 GPA, Clinch Best-Graduating Status, Earn Full Scholarships to US Universities
The 18-year-old identical twins, Tia and Tyra, celebrated their academic success side by side, jointly delivering the valedictory speech at their graduation ceremony. "I was glad it was both of us; We really worked together to be where we were. It was the last thing we could do together in school before we have to leave each other," shared Tyra.
AKACHI NOEL 
In an extraordinary display of academic excellence, Tia and Tyra Smith, twin sisters from Lindblom Math and Science Academy, Chicago, have etched their names as the best-graduating students by achieving a remarkable 4.0 cumulative grade point each. Both have secured full scholarships to pursue their higher education at different universities in the United States.
The 18-year-old identical twins, Tia and Tyra, celebrated their academic success side by side, jointly delivering the valedictory speech at their graduation ceremony. "I was glad it was both of us; We really worked together to be where we were. It was the last thing we could do together in school before we have to leave each other," shared Tyra.
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Their high school journey was not only marked by academic brilliance but also by active involvement in various extracurricular activities. Tyra expressed her passion for biotechnology and problem-based learning math, while Tia found joy in human geography and U.S. history. The sisters initiated their school's first-ever black history art gallery titled "More Than 28" and collaborated on a community awareness campaign for kidney disease with a healthcare company.
Their love for theater shone through as they shared screenwriting duties for a special episode of the show "Black-ish." Theater, according to Tia, has been the most rewarding and influential aspect of their academic journey.
Reflecting on the emotional moment, the twins' mother, Lemi-Ola Erinkitola, described it as a unique and touching experience. "Typically what we’ve seen is one valedictorian; I was glad because they’re going to separate colleges, and it put a nice, finishing touch on their years together academically," Erinkitola said.
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Tia and Tyra will pursue their shared interest in theater at their respective universities. Tyra is set to attend Northwestern University, majoring in theatre and economics, while Tia will enroll at Duke University, majoring in theatre and statistics.
This remarkable achievement not only highlights the twins' academic prowess but also their shared dedication to the arts, promising a bright future ahead.
