Not since 2001 has there been a male valedictorian or
salutatorian at Live Oak High School. Now, in 2005, that trend has
changed in a big way.
Not since 2001 has there been a male valedictorian or salutatorian at Live Oak High School. Now, in 2005, that trend has changed in a big way.
Not only are there boys in the top two slots, they are brothers. And not just brothers, they’re twins – identical twins to be exact.
Aaron and Allen Cunanan, 18 with Allen being older by 10 minutes, have the highest grade point averages of all the seniors at Live Oak. This is the first time it hasn’t been girls since Oneil Bhalala was valedictorian in 2001.
What separated their GPAs? As of the end of the fall semester, a mere one-hundreth of grade point apart, which they expect to be the final difference. The valedictorian has the highest GPA in the graduating class, and the salutatorian has the second highest.
At the end of the fall semester, Aaron had a 4.3 GPA and Allen had a 4.29.
“It feels good,” Allen said. “If I had to lose to anybody, I’m glad it was my brother.”
The Cunanans were awarded with a plaque during the senior awards night, which they didn’t know would happen ahead of time. The brothers said their parents, Romeo and Hedeliza Cunanan, were really proud of them.
“Of course we are very proud of them both; it’s an amazing accomplishment,” Hedeliza Cunanan said. “We are very ecstatic.”
The Cunanans are two of three children; their brother Rory Cunanan graduated from Live Oak in 2002.
Live Oak Principal Nick Boden said the brothers were a “tremendous” representation of the Live Oak tradition.
“They are excellent, excellent young men,” Boden said. “I am very pleased with their performance. They are well rounded young men.”
All through high school, with the exception of sophomore year, the brothers shared a similar schedule based on advanced placement classes.
But when Allen became involved in student government activities, he didn’t know he would receive class credit. An A in a regular class, such as student government or a college prep class is worth four points. An A for an AP class is worth five.
As a result, Allen’s GPA was lowered slightly.
When not in class, the Cunanan brothers competed in track for the last two years. The first year they ran in the 200, 400 and switched to the 4×400 relay the second. They also played junior varsity football their junior year.
“They were great all the way around,” said Live Oak Head Track Coach Dean Raymond. “They had great work ethics, they were there all the time, and had a great attitude.”
Aaron said Allen was faster, though during the relays he had an extra burst of speed.
The brothers were urged to participate in athletics by their brother, who played football for the Acorns.
Math teacher Ken King said the two were very dedicated to their academics and they are the best math students he has had this year.
“They were not only bright, but they worked hard, too,” King said. “They are a pleasure to have in class and they are really good at math.”
King said the Cunanans were very similar in personalities and abilities and they routinely would reverse their test scores.
Last year, during the B/C class – the second year of calculus – there weren’t enough students to fill a regular class, so sessions were held before school and on Sundays. Calculus classes are divided up in to two year-long classes, each equivalent to a semester in college.
King said the Cunanans were the only ones who attended regularly.
Chemistry teacher Lloyd Webb, who had them for AP chemistry their junior year, said he had only positive things to say about them.
“In 20 years of teaching, these are the two most worthy recipients of the award,” Webb said. “They are brilliant, hardworking, honest and just great kids.”
Future
It will be a while before the twins are separated. In the fall, they will both begin school at the University of California, Los Angeles.
“I liked the feel of the campus,” Allen said. “It just feels right.”
Aaron agreed, but said his motivation was the mild Southern California weather.
They both plan to study engineering: Aaron in materials engineering and Allen in electrical engineering.
Allen, inspired by Star Trek and Star Wars, said he wants to create the next generation of electronic devices. Aaron, though a little unsure of exactly what path he wants to take, said he wants to make improvements on existing materials, for construction, technology or other, or find new ones to help people in their daily lives.
A look back
Looking back, there will be things both will miss about Live Oak, both socially and academically.
The both had the teachers they will never forget, the classes they loved and hated and the times they spent with friends having fun.
They will not forget the Webbs, Lloyd and Glenn, who made them laugh in class.
Allen said one of his favorites was King who, he said, went beyond the same old calculus formulas, mixing in a little magic on the side.
“He just keeps math more interesting,” Allen said.
Not surprisingly, Allen’s favorite subject through school was math. But it wasn’t his only one.
He also enjoyed history because he “liked to read about the past.”
For Aaron, it was Will Champine’s economics class, despite others in his class finding the material a little dry.
“Everyone slept through his lectures, but I stayed awake for them,” he recalled.
Even though Champine was his favorite teacher, Aaron said his favorite subject was math.
While the brothers excelled in all their classes, there were those they couldn’t wait to be done with.
Allen said chemistry was his least favorite, “especially at the end when they really got deep into the material.”
Aaron said the first year of calculus was the worst for him. But said once he got through that class, the other two he took were much simpler.
While academics were the main focus for the twins in school, there was still time to have fun with friends. They both said the social environment of the school will be missed.
“I’m going to miss the activities through the year, the dances, the sports and being with friends” Allen said. “Just all the random stuff we do that keeps life interesting.”
For the incoming freshman into the high school, as well as all students, the brothers offered some advice.
“Put time into it,” Aaron said. “If you put time into whatever you do, whether it be school, dance, sports or what ever, you will be good at it.”
“Don’t procrastinate; that will help in the long run,” Allen said.
A heart felt thank you
For how far they came, the twins acknowledged that they couldn’t have done any of it on their own. They said their parents and the rest of their family played a huge role in their success.
“They taught me well,” Allen said. “They set me in the right direction.”
Aaron agreed, adding an extra thanks to his brother.
“I’d like to thank my parents and family members for pushing us,” Aaron said. “To my brother for encouraging me to do sports. To my parents for pushing my academics. And my other family for teaching me their values and skills they said I would need to have.”
Graduation ceremonies will take place 6pm on June 10 at Richert Field. Principal Boden recommended people arrive early as parking and seating are limited. He said everyone should prepare for heat. The school will provide water.
Parking is available in the student parking lot and the surrounding street.
Sports editor Jim Johnson contributed to this report.
Cheeto Barrera is an intern at the Morgan Hill Times. He can be reached at cb******@mo*************.com
