17-Year-Old Twin Siblings Accepted into Over 15 Colleges with Over $1.5 Million in Scholarships

Reagan and Ricardo Razon, 17-year-old twins from Raleigh, North Carolina, have achieved an extraordinary academic feat. Despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, these resilient siblings earned over $1.536 million in merit-based scholarships and received acceptance letters from 15 prestigious colleges and universities.

The twins, students at Enloe Magnet High School, faced the challenges of remote learning and social distancing without letting these obstacles hinder their academic performance. Their dedication and hard work resulted in offers from renowned institutions, including Harvard, Yale, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), Duke, University of North Carolina (UNC), Washington University in St. Louis (WashU), and Vanderbilt.

In a recent interview with BLACK ENTERPRISE, Reagan shared, “We were both accepted to Harvard, Yale, MIT, UPenn, Duke, UNC, WashU, and Vanderbilt. There were some schools that we applied to separately as well. Ricardo was accepted into Georgia Tech and received a scholarship from Rice. I was also accepted into Stanford and the University of Southern California.”

Reagan highlighted one of her most significant achievements: receiving the Robertson Scholarship from Duke, which provides a full ride through the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program. Both Reagan and Ricardo were selected as John B. Ervin Scholars at Washington University, which covers full tuition.

The siblings attribute their success to their strong foundation in education, provided by their parents, Ricardo Razon III and Michelleta Razon. Their father, of Filipino heritage and a member of Omega Psi Phi, and their mother, a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, instilled in them the importance of hard work and determination from an early age. Ricardo fondly recalled practicing multiplication tables with their parents during car rides, which contributed to their strong academic skills.

Their father also noted that the twins often took accelerated subjects and dedicated long hours to their studies. This work ethic, coupled with a supportive family environment, played a crucial role in their achievements. Reagan, for instance, has been dancing ballet pre-professionally for over 12 years, balancing her rigorous academic schedule with her passion for dance.

Both Reagan and Ricardo are passionate about computer science and have taken proactive steps to prepare for their futures. They researched colleges extensively, attended numerous virtual admissions sessions, and meticulously planned their application process. Ricardo shared their approach, stating, “As we went into senior year, we started researching schools and attending dozens and dozens of Zoom admissions sessions to figure out what schools we wanted to add to our list, and it just became a constant process of submitting applications from October until the middle of January.”

Beyond their academic achievements, Reagan and Ricardo are committed to making a positive impact in their community. Reagan has been an advocate for education equity, often addressing systemic issues in schools. Ricardo, who was born with moderate bilateral hearing loss, has excelled academically and serves as the president of a local chapter of TEDx, where he has spoken about discrimination and diversity.

As they prepare for their college journeys, the twins are grateful for the opportunities ahead. Reagan has decided to attend Duke University as a Robertson Scholar, while Ricardo will join Harvard University. Despite choosing different paths, they remain focused on their shared goal of inspiring others and making a difference in their respective fields.

Reflecting on their achievements, Reagan expressed their gratitude, saying, “Both me and my brother are very grateful for the options and opportunities that we have. We know that with whatever option we do make, there is no wrong choice, because everything is amazing, and they all have their different benefits.”

With their unwavering dedication, strong family support, and passion for their chosen fields, Reagan and Ricardo Razon are poised to make significant contributions to their communities and beyond. Their story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of education in overcoming challenges and achieving success.

Ouloassia Jennifer Yhaye, a 20-year-old Ivorian, has made history as one of Africa’s youngest female airline pilots. Her remarkable journey, marked by determination and excellence, has set her apart in an industry where only 5.2% of pilots in Africa are women.

Jennifer‘s academic journey began at Morning Glory International School (MGIS) in Abidjan. She graduated in 2014 with a baccalaureate in pure mathematics, physics, and instrumentation and control, showcasing her proficiency in French, English, and Spanish. Her passion for aviation led her to South Africa, where she enrolled in 43 Air School (PTY) Ltd., renowned for producing top-tier aviators. After two years of rigorous training, Jennifer earned her commercial pilot diploma in 2016.

Upon turning 20, Jennifer returned to Ivory Coast and secured a position with Air Côte d’Ivoire. Her skills and dedication quickly earned her a role as a first officer on the DASH 8-Q400 aircraft at Asky Airlines. She further expanded her expertise to include flying the ATR 42/72 and B737-800 aircraft. By 2019, she had accumulated over 800 flight hours, a significant milestone for any pilot.

In recognition of her exceptional accomplishments and unwavering commitment to her career, the Ivorian State awarded Jennifer the Excellence Prize for the best contribution to the aviation industry. Her achievements did not stop there; Jennifer is now employed at ASKY Airlines and has recently attained the role of a 737MAX pilot. She is among the first group of pilots to fly the 737MAX aircraft in West Africa. Click here to continue reading about Jennifer Yhaye.

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