Published May 23, 1999
When twin sisters Vanessa and Veronica Gorley and close friend Debbie Bryan were called into the principal's office several weeks ago, they knew the time of reckoning had come. One of them was going to be chosen to be class valedictorian over the others.
Imagine their surprise when all three of them were chosen to share the honor, the first time that three students ever shared that role in West Middlesex High School's history.
"When we told our mom, she cried," said Vanessa of Sharon-Bedford Road. "She had been hoping that one of us would be valedictorian and one of us would be salutatorian. It just made her day that it turned out like this." added sister Veronica.
Being sisters and twins could have made them rivals, but instead both girls were each other's greatest supporter. "We're two different people," said Vanessa. "We've never truly competed against each other."
"We knew it would be close, but we weren't going to fight about it," added Veronica.
Another twist to this story is the strong friendship between the sisters and Debbie Bryan of Greenfield Road, whom they have known since second grade.
"There was never any competition between us. We just kept each other on our toes." Debbie said. "We are just so happy for each other," added Veronica. "We couldn't believe the school decided to do this."
Though twins, Vanessa and Veronica are very individual in their styles and school interests. "Veronica is more of a performer, more social and she's more interested in English. I'm quieter and like being involved in group work. I'm very interested in science stuff," said Vanessa.
All three girls have been very involved in school clubs and extra-curricular activities.
Debbie has been president of the Future Business Leaders of America for two years and regional president for one year. She is involved in French Club, Students Against Drunk Driving, National Honor Society, student council, band and choir.
Debbie and Vanessa will be attending the Ecology Team's Enviro-thon at Danville, Pa, the first time the team has competed in the state competition.
Debbie is a three-year member of The Nightingales, a singing, dancing all-girl show choir, along with Veronica, a four-year member. Debbie also plays flute and piccolo for the band.
Vanessa is a member of the FBLA and will be going to the FBLA national competition at the end of June. She is a member of student council, SADD and was secretary of her class in her junior and senior years. She is section leader of the trombonists in the band and first chair in jazz band. She is a member of NHS, Spanish Club and president of the drama club and she was chosen for The Herald's Academic Excellence Team.
Veronica is also extremely active in school activities. She is the president of NHS and secretary of both the French Club and SADD. She's a piano accompanist for show choir, editor of the yearbook and a staff writer for the school newspaper. She's also a member of the computer club and was vice president of her class in their sophomore and junior years.
Besides school work, each girl has a part-time job and they are involved in their respective churches.
All three plan to attend college. Vanessa will attend Hiram (Ohio) College and plans to major in psycho-biology. She received a scholarship from the college that will pay half her way for all four years.
Veronica will attend John Carroll University in Cleveland and major in communications with plans to become a journalist. She has received a scholarship from the Elks Club in Sharon, plus $13,000 in combined scholarships through the university.
Debbie will attend Grove City College and major in pre-med. She would like to be either a physical therapist or physician's assistant. She has received a $1,000 Strimbu Memorial Scholarship and is waiting to hear from GCC about other scholarships.
Another result of the trio being chosen as co-valedictorians, was that Jessica Leon, Old Bedford Road, was able to become the salutatorian.
"I was so excited when I found out. I knew it was really close, but I wasn't sure what was going to happen," she said. "My parents were really excited, too."
She will attend Mercyhurst College in Erie and major in business administration. She has received the Egan Scholarship through the college as well as the student council scholarship through the school.
One thing all four girls share is their lack of competitive animosity toward each other.
"We have a mutual respect for each other, which we've shared for a while," said Vanessa. "It's been a friendly competition."
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