Twins take top honors for KHS Class of 2007

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- It's a major accomplishment and milestone in life to complete 12 years of education and graduate high school. It's an even more extraordinary feat to earn being the senior class valedictorian for the commencement - and almost unheard of when the salutatorian is your sister. 

Kristin and Lorraine Arden are, respectively, the two top students in Kadena High School's Class of 2007, which held its graduation ceremony June 8. 

Daughters of Department of Defense civilians, Michael Arden, a systems librarian at the 18th Services Squadron, and May Arden, an administrative assistant at the 718th Civil Engineer Squadron, the 18-year-old twins were ranked first and second out of a class of 182. 

"Their grade point averages have always been high," said Catherine Riedel, the high school's senior class guidance counselor. "Both are in the National Honor Society and are Commended National Merit Scholars. They've lived overseas before in different countries and both strongly feel they have benefited from it by their global perspective."
Kristin's global perspective may have an impact on her career. Her goal is to become a physician and hopes to join Doctors Without Borders. 

"You are here in the world and this world is your home," she said. "Somebody somewhere gave me a beautiful freedom, cut the strings that confine individuals to a place by some invisible tie. Here I am home, wherever 'here' may be." 

Kristin was nominated for the Presidential Scholars program, something Ms. Riedel said is extremely prestigious. 

Ms. Riedel explained Lorianne has a passion for film and photography and wants to pursue a career in cinematography, which she believes has been influenced by living abroad. 

"Living overseas has implanted in me an insatiable yearning for more," said Lorianne. "If, in the span of 15 years, I could see so much of the seven continents - three already - what else awaits this eager wanderer?" 

As far as getting a jump on cinematography, she already creates promotional videos for local church youth groups. 

Mr. Arden partly credits his daughters' achievements with Department of Defense Dependents Schools. 

"For most of their 12 years in school it's been in DoDDS," he said. "We've had an excellent experience with DoDDS." 

He also credits his wife, whom he said spent a lot of time with them helping with school projects. 

"We're happy they have achieved what they have while still enjoying being normal teenagers -- hanging out with friends, listening to music and watching videos," said Mrs. Arden. 

She said the twins have always had friendly competition. "During Lorianne's salutatory speech, she said, 'My twin beat me.'" 

Ms. Riedel said twins earning valedictorian and salutatorian honors has never happened here before but has to be a rarity anywhere. 

Kristin will be attending Wellesley College, Wellesley, Mass.; while Lorianne will attend Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.