For most high school students, competing for top academic honors in their graduating class is an individual pursuit. For Hewlett twins John and Joseph Gomes, it became a shared journey defined as much by brotherhood as by competition.
Administrators at Chaminade High School in Mineola announced on May 5 that John was named valedictorian of the Class of 2026, while Joseph was selected as salutatorian.
And their academic achievements were separated by mere percentage points, with John earning a 99.42 grade-point average and Joseph weighing in with a 99.29 GPA.
The brothers said their four years at Chaminade were shaped by a balance of academic rigor, faith and friendship. Though they pursued different academic passions, they often found themselves side by side in both the classroom and extracurricular activities.
“Over the course of our four years, we have shared so many of our experiences at Chaminade together,” John said. “Of course, we are our own individuals, but for both of us to conclude our time on stage next to each other, as brothers, as twins, as Chaminade Men, will truly be a special moment in our lives.”
The twins participated together in Sodality, Business Club, Social Studies Club and Culinary Club, among other activities. John said their shared involvement stemmed from both convenience and genuine overlapping interests.
“We did a lot of the same clubs together because, first of all, convenience, but second of all, we also have a lot in common when it comes to our interests,” he said. “Especially Social Studies Club, because my favorite class was AP Government. That really got me interested in government and public affairs.”
That interest helped shape John’s future plans. In the fall, he will attend Brown University, where he plans to study international and public affairs.
Joseph, meanwhile, discovered an early fascination with engineering and electronics and will also attend Brown University, where he plans to major in environmental engineering.
“As kids, we pretty much played games together all the time — board games, video games,” Joseph said. “We swam together a lot, played tennis together. But we also had our own interests. I became interested in electronics very early on, and that led me to engineering.”
Though their academic interests diverged, both brothers described a lifelong partnership built on mutual support.
“A lot of the time, we supported each other and basically went through academics and personal things together,” John said. “Whether it’s late-night talks or eating dinner together, we’re always supporting each other.”
Joseph said their relationship has always balanced closeness with individuality.
“We’re not identical in the sense that we’re physically identical, and we’re also not identical in terms of our personalities or interests,” he said. “But we definitely spend a lot of time together. We’ve always supported each other while still having our own lives.”
The competitive dynamic between the two brothers also played a role in their success.
As twins, they admitted that a natural academic competitiveness pushed them through Chaminade’s rigorous Advanced Placement curriculum. Yet they emphasized that competition never overshadowed encouragement.
“There has been so much support for us at all stages of our journey here at Chaminade,” Joseph said. “We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity to end our time as students the same way we lived through it — together.”
The twins’ parents said the achievement reflects years of dedication and a strong family bond.
“It is quite overwhelming to process the joy of this moment,” their mother, Barbara Gomes, said in a written statement to the Herald. “Seeing both of our sons applauded and recognized in this way by an institution like Chaminade, that truly is one of a kind. They are so outgoing, rooted in faith and complementary toward one another as brothers. We are so very proud of their shared and individual accomplishments.”
At graduation on June 7, the brothers’ speeches will reflect different themes while remaining deeply connected. John said his address will focus on brotherhood and community, while Joseph’s remarks will center on change and growth.
“My theme is more going to be based on brotherhood,” John explained. “Joseph’s is going to be more based on change. We both connect our relationship with each other to our relationship with our class. That’s kind of unique because Chaminade has never had two speakers who are related.”
Joseph said his speech will examine how the Chaminade experience prepares students for the transitions ahead.
“I’m talking about change and how it reflects the changes we’re about to go through,” he said. “We both cover separate things, but together they form one cohesive message about our relationship and our journey with the school as a whole.”
The distinction marks the first time in the school’s 96-year history that twin brothers will deliver the valedictory and salutatory addresses at commencement.
“I have been part of the Chaminade community for 30 years,” Principal Robert Paul wrote in a statement. “In all that time, I have never seen anything quite like this. John and Joseph Gomes have finished first and second in their class — brothers, competitors, and each other’s greatest supporters — and in that way, they are a perfect reflection of the Class of 2026.”
Paul added that the twins embodied the mission of the Marianist school.
“Their shared love of learning is exactly what a Chaminade education is meant to cultivate,” he wrote. “As their principal, I could not be prouder. As an alumnus, I am in awe.”
