SAN ANGELO – For the first time, both San Angelo Central and Lake View High Schools will have fraternal twins as valedictorian and salutatorian.
SAISD continues the celebration of the Class of 2022 countdown to cap and gown, by introducing twin valedictorians and salutatorians from Central High School and Lake View High School.
In a unique final ranking outcome, both SAISD high schools will have fraternal twin sisters taking the first and second top spots in their respective graduating classes.
At San Angelo Central, Gracie and Ellie Barker took the valedictorian and salutatorian spots respectively.
Gracie plans on going to the University of Texas at Austin and major in political communications and Ellie is going to Texas A&M University to major in biomedical engineering.
The girls said a running family joke is that one of the girls will open be the first to do something, and then the other will improve upon it- like in taking first steps as a child, one was first to do it, then the other went further, and when one lost a tooth first, then the other lost two teeth in one week.
Gracie recently won the state title in UIL Ready Writing for 6A, and is active in speech and debate, which she attributes to helping her to be a more effective communicator. Ellie is a Lady Cat varsity soccer player who is self-described as very organized, type A personality and interested in health and fitness. The girls share a commitment to hard work in their studies but do note differences in how they approach studies and what they’re passionate about.
“She’s more very organized. I’m more go with the flow. She’s more sports oriented, and I really care more about social justice issues. I’m a debater, so I work really hard at being an effective communicator,” said Gracie “She gets on the field, and that’s how she works out her aggression and I just talk - a lot [in debate].”
Gracie and Ellie plan on attending rival colleges after graduation.
After Gracie goes to UT at Austin, she plans to attend law school after undergrad and may one day be an environmental lawyer.
At College Station, Ellie likes dual options for her major to pursue medical school and be a doctor or, alternatively, stick to engineering like working in prosthetics.
On Saturday, the twins will take graduation stage, and co-deliver a speech, a moment they’ve been preparing for and are happy to be doing together.
“I think it’s super special to be sharing this with Gracie... It’s super special for our parents, especially, because they’re so proud of all our accomplishments and that we get to do this together,” said Ellie.
Landy and Lexie Williams took the top spots at Lake View. Landy plans on going to Texas A&M University to major in nutrition and be in the Fightin’ Aggie Band as an alto saxophonist. Lexie plans on going up 277 to attend Abilene Christian and major in education.
Landy was a leader in the Chief band, and participated in sports including basketball, which she attributes to developing skills like leadership, collaboration, and teamwork, and me management. Lexie was also a leader in LVHS band and played sports like basketball and softball too and noted both band and sports impacted her high school experience positively.
When asked what she will miss most about Lake View, Landy said, “I will miss all the activity and involvement, like sports and band. I’ll also miss all the teachers and the community - even though we’re a 4A, it feels like a small 2-3A. Everybody knows you and makes sure to say hi.”
“Ever since I was lile, I loved helping others. It's just been a dream of mine to become a teacher. I’ve loved all my teachers, and they’ve helped me so much. I want to do that for others,” said Lexie, later pointing to her 5th grade teacher at Holiman Elementary, Ms. Nestler, as an inspiration who helped her to discover her love for math.
The girls said they will miss the lile things they do together when they head to their different colleges in the fall, from sports and school to family me at home like watching movies and walking their family dog.
And, although being a twin can have its positives and negatives, Lexie said one aspect she loves is the close relationship, “You have an automatic best friend when you have a twin. They’re always there for you.” And like a true best friend, she already has plans to join her parents on a trip to visit College Staon for an Aggie home football game to watch sister Landy on her first step off with the Aggie Band.
Join SAISD, CHS and LVHS in congratulating our twin valedictorians and salutatorians and wishing them success as they continue pursuit of their hopes and dreams next fall at UT, A&M and ACU.
At San Angelo Central High School the 2022 valedictorian and salutatorian will be the Barker Twins. Sisters Gracie Barker is the valedictorian for CHS, and Ellie Barker, the salutatorian.
At San Angelo Central, Gracie and Ellie Barker took the valedictorian and salutatorian spots respectively.
Gracie plans on going to the University of Texas at Austin and major in political communications and Ellie is going to Texas A&M University to major in biomedical engineering.
The girls said a running family joke is that one of the girls will open be the first to do something, and then the other will improve upon it- like in taking first steps as a child, one was first to do it, then the other went further, and when one lost a tooth first, then the other lost two teeth in one week.
Gracie recently won the state title in UIL Ready Writing for 6A, and is active in speech and debate, which she attributes to helping her to be a more effective communicator. Ellie is a Lady Cat varsity soccer player who is self-described as very organized, type A personality and interested in health and fitness. The girls share a commitment to hard work in their studies but do note differences in how they approach studies and what they’re passionate about.
“She’s more very organized. I’m more go with the flow. She’s more sports oriented, and I really care more about social justice issues. I’m a debater, so I work really hard at being an effective communicator,” said Gracie “She gets on the field, and that’s how she works out her aggression and I just talk - a lot [in debate].”
Gracie and Ellie plan on attending rival colleges after graduation.
After Gracie goes to UT at Austin, she plans to attend law school after undergrad and may one day be an environmental lawyer.
At College Station, Ellie likes dual options for her major to pursue medical school and be a doctor or, alternatively, stick to engineering like working in prosthetics.
On Saturday, the twins will take graduation stage, and co-deliver a speech, a moment they’ve been preparing for and are happy to be doing together.
“I think it’s super special to be sharing this with Gracie... It’s super special for our parents, especially, because they’re so proud of all our accomplishments and that we get to do this together,” said Ellie.
Meet the Williams Twins - Landy Williams, is the 2022 valedictorian for Lake View HS, and Lexie Williams, the salutatorian.
Landy and Lexie Williams took the top spots at Lake View. Landy plans on going to Texas A&M University to major in nutrition and be in the Fightin’ Aggie Band as an alto saxophonist. Lexie plans on going up 277 to attend Abilene Christian and major in education.
Landy was a leader in the Chief band, and participated in sports including basketball, which she attributes to developing skills like leadership, collaboration, and teamwork, and me management. Lexie was also a leader in LVHS band and played sports like basketball and softball too and noted both band and sports impacted her high school experience positively.
When asked what she will miss most about Lake View, Landy said, “I will miss all the activity and involvement, like sports and band. I’ll also miss all the teachers and the community - even though we’re a 4A, it feels like a small 2-3A. Everybody knows you and makes sure to say hi.”
“Ever since I was lile, I loved helping others. It's just been a dream of mine to become a teacher. I’ve loved all my teachers, and they’ve helped me so much. I want to do that for others,” said Lexie, later pointing to her 5th grade teacher at Holiman Elementary, Ms. Nestler, as an inspiration who helped her to discover her love for math.
The girls said they will miss the lile things they do together when they head to their different colleges in the fall, from sports and school to family me at home like watching movies and walking their family dog.
And, although being a twin can have its positives and negatives, Lexie said one aspect she loves is the close relationship, “You have an automatic best friend when you have a twin. They’re always there for you.” And like a true best friend, she already has plans to join her parents on a trip to visit College Staon for an Aggie home football game to watch sister Landy on her first step off with the Aggie Band.
Join SAISD, CHS and LVHS in congratulating our twin valedictorians and salutatorians and wishing them success as they continue pursuit of their hopes and dreams next fall at UT, A&M and ACU.
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