Historic Achievement for Long Island Twins

Twins John and Joseph Gomez from Long Island have made history at Chaminade High School by both finishing as valedictorian. They are the first brothers to achieve this distinction at the esteemed institution.

John, the older twin, earned a cumulative average of 99.42 over his four years, just edging out Joseph, who scored 99.29, having completed the challenge just a minute later.

“We sometimes joked about who was better at calculus or physics,” John shared. “But at the end of the day, it’s not just about bragging rights.” He added that their ultimate aim was to uplift those who may be struggling.

In 12th grade, Joseph actually triumphed over John by scoring 99.67, while John received 98.83.

John reflected on the challenges seniors face: “Many of us start to lose focus and motivation,” he said, recognizing that this year, he achieved his highest average.

The twins have been close since childhood, sharing interests in tennis, Nintendo, board games, and grand birthday celebrations growing up in Hewlett. Joseph remarked, “We were always encouraged to stick together.”

They opted for Chaminade Flyers to challenge themselves academically, leading their peers to take notice early on. “In freshman year, classmates asked what my GPA was and how I managed it,” Joseph recalled.

John added that while taking notes, classmates would often ask to borrow his work. “I’d say yes, but I really need to tackle my own issues too,” he mentioned.

Principal Robert Paul pointed out that the twins’ work ethic made them role models at the school. “They took some of the most challenging courses available,” he noted, explaining that students can choose easier paths for potentially better grades.

The Gomez brothers frequently overlapped in advanced classes and various extracurriculars, including social studies, business, cooking clubs, and a prayer group. They emphasized collaboration over competition. “We’ve never been overly competitive in our academic journey,” Joseph said.

As they look toward the future, the twins had somewhat similar college applications, but they’re not overly concerned about attending the same school. “Our dad graduated from Brown, so he’s not worried about it,” Joseph explained.

John aspires to pursue a career in government or law, while Joseph is leaning toward environmental engineering.

During their graduation ceremony, they delivered speeches that highlighted their hard work, brotherhood, and gratitude for their experiences. “Spending the next four years with Joseph is something I’m really looking forward to,” John said, adding, “Not seeing him regularly would definitely feel odd.”