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Twin girls graduate as valedictorian, salutatorian of their high school class

Twin sisters of a Baton Rouge high school not only graduate together, but share valedictorian and salutatorian honors.(Photo:Christopher Furlong)

BATON ROUGE, LA — Twin sisters Alisha and Talisha Parker knew they would walk across the stage together for their high school graduation, but they had no idea they'd both be earning the school's top academic honors.

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"It was a surprise because I just found out a week ago that I was salutatorian so it was a big shock," Talisha Parker told WAFB.

"I feel like it's a blessing because I get to walk across the stage not only with my sister but as the top two in our class," Alisha Parker said.

The Tara High School graduates received their diplomas Wednesday night at Bethany World Prayer Center in Baker, Louisiana.

Alisha, the eldest of the twins, earned a 4.52 grade point average, the highest of more than 150 graduating students. Talisha earned a 4.48 GPA.

"My valedictorian was born first so the salutatorian always was behind her (like,) 'You gotta be first, you gotta be first. So it's been great. They both support each other, and I like that," their mother, Latasha Parker, said.

Latasha said the girls' healthy competition motivated them both to work harder.

The twins also pledged to succeed after Latasha was diagnosed with cancer in 2010 and again 2012.

"It was really hard because she was in the hospital and the doctors were saying that she wasn't going to live long, and so that was kind of a discouragement, but in the end, we knew what we had to do and continued to push through," Talisha said.

Tara High School principal Karen Triche said the girls are role models for other students.

"They are exactly what a high school kid should be," Triche said. "A lot of times when difficulties come, kids kind of fall of the radar, but they still knew that their mother would want them to have a great future, so they kept working."

The sisters were both accepted to Louisiana State University, WAFB reported.

Talisha plans to study chemical engineering, and Alisha plans to study criminal law.