Memorial High top-ranking twins Shelly and Kelly Ostrofsky(front) joined classmate twins Chris and Theresa Valach (rear) and co-salutatorian Neal Akhave and his twin sister, Sonya, during their final senior week. The Ostrofsky and Valach twins were among 25 co-valedictorians to graduate from Memorial High this year.

The term “All in the Family” took on new meaning May 24 during Memorial High School’s Graduation as two pairs of twins finished at the very top of the Class of 2008. Another twin was named a co-salutatorian, a separate high academic honor.

Graduating as co-valedictorian pairs this year were twins Kelly and Shelly Ostrofsky and Chris and Theresa Valach. In separate news, co-salutatorian Neal Akhave and his sister, Sonya, a National Honor Society member, graduated as Memorial High twins, too.

Memorial High graduated 25 co-valedictorians and 11 co-salutatorians during a 10 a.m. May 24 standing-room only ceremony held at Don Coleman Coliseum.

Spring Branch ISD high schools often graduate multiple valedictorians and salutatorians, in part, because the schools award weighted grade points for only one course per year in each of the four curricular areas – English, Math, Science and Social Studies. By using this formula, more than one student may hold the same final grade-point average.

All four twins who graduated as co-valedictorians attended Frostwood and Memorial Middle schools. Shelly Ostrofsky and Chris Valach both plan to attend Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. Kelly Ostrofsky will attend Duke University in Durham, N.C., and Theresa Valach plans to study economics or chemistry at Stanford University in Menlo Park, Calif..

In addition to their fabulous academic careers, the Ostrofsky twins ran on the Memorial Girls varsity cross country and track teams. The cross country team placed first in district and fourth in regional competition. In track, Shelly Ostrofsky also helped break the school’s record in the 3,200 meter relay. She ran the relay’s 800 meter last leg.

Both a National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society member, Kelly Ostrofsky was also an Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar with Honor, a Top 20 Junior and cited as a National Merit Commended Student during her junior year.

She was a senior officer in Club HOPE, which helped raise funds for a deserving local middle school, and was a Mustang Mentors member for two years.

Her sister, Shelly, was a National Merit Finalist. For her achievements in track and field, the Houston Athletic Committee named her a Scholar Athlete Finalist and then selected her as the Greater Houston High School Female Track and Field Scholar Athlete of Spring 2008.

Like her sister, Shelly is a member of both the National and Spanish student honor societies. She was also an AP Scholar with Honor, a Top 20 Junior and made the Distinguished Honor Roll for three years. Shelly, too, was a senior officer in Club HOPE and served as a Mustang Mentor.

Both sisters describe themselves as competitive and perfectionist types, but each separately said that their drive to succeed was also personal.

“I always try to do my best, not necessarily just better than Shelly. Always being compared to my twin sister may have added to the competitive edge, but I think that I would have challenged myself just as much without a twin simply because I always strive for perfection,” Kelly said.

“Our parents never really pushed us at all,” Shelly added. “My academic achievements are mostly a result of a competition with myself and a tendency to try my best in all that I pursue.”

Memorial High AP chemistry teacher Karla Lowerre and AP English teacher Todd McCardle inspired several of these twins. McCardle’s passion for his subject was “contagious,” Shelly said.

Lowerre’s chemistry classroom became Shelly’s second home for studying and laboratory work. “I loved how evident it was that she enjoyed teaching us. She was always there to help,” Shelly said.

Her chemistry lab partner, twin Theresa Valach, can’t say enough good things about Mrs. Lowerre, either. Theresa may major in chemistry at Stanford University.

“Mrs. Lowerre was so determined to have us succeed in the subject and so passionate about chemistry that I couldn’t help but develop a passion for the subject as well. For me, her class was the turning point from viewing school as simply rewarding due to grades to rewarding because of the knowledge I had gained,” she said.

For Chris and Theresa Valach, having a smart twin helped boost their performance, they said. “We were able to bounce ideas off each other, and we both have a lot of pride in what we do,” Chris said. “I would never let anything go without giving it my best, and same with my sister. That has really driven us.”

Chris, who plans to major in chemical and biomedical engineering at Washington University, was also a state finalist in swimming. He qualified in the 400 yard freestyle relay and 500 yard individual freestyle.

He set All-American times in both races, was a four-time individual district champion, and his Cy-Fair Swim Club team was sectional champion for three years The Houston Athletic Committee named him a Scholar Athlete Finalist this year, too.

Chris is a National Merit Finalist, a member of the National Honor Society, a Top 20 Junior, and placed third in one accounting competition.

His grandfather taught him “to never give up and to always try my hardest because I could do whatever I wanted” and instilled in him a deep sense of personal pride.

His sister, Theresa, was a regional finalist in the 100 breaststroke for three years, and was a member of both the swimming and water polo teams. She is a National Merit Finalist, made the Distinguished Honor Roll for four years, and was a Top 20 Junior.

In addition, she was a leader in the Memorial Mustang Outreach Bunch, or MMOB, the popular student service organization.

“We’ve both always strived to do our best in every aspect of our lives,” Theresa said about her own academic accomplishments and those of twin brother, Chris.

“We’ve always had each other if there was a subject we really didn’t understand. I don’t know about ‘intelligence’ genes, but I do think that I have some very intelligent parents and, obviously, an incredibly intelligent brother.”

In separate but related news, co-salutatorian Neal Akhave also graduated as a twin. His sister, Sonya, a National Honor Society member, joined him May 24 as both received their diplomas. More than 500 Memorial High students graduated this year.

posted 05-28-08