Llayna and Saniah Maul, identical twins, will graduate from Godby High School as valedictorian (top-ranked student in a class) and salutatorian (second-highest-ranking student).
The two grew up pursuing various activities together and had the same dedication to their studies. According to the Tallahassee Democrat, the twins started high school virtually through the Florida Virtual School in 2020. They transferred to Godby High in 2022 and started taking dual enrollment classes at Tallahassee Community College.
Llayna, valedictorian, told WTXL “It’s just been both of us trying really hard at school.”
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Their appreciation for education, she continued, has enabled them to accomplish their goals and make the most of the opportunities that have been provided by their teachers. “It’s worthwhile to just focus and pay attention and really put forth that effort to make them proud,” she said.
To advance in their college careers, the 17-year-olds enrolled in classes at TCC. “I don’t work for the A or the high GPA, I work just so I can be the best I can be,” stated Saniah. She has been awarded two Advanced Placement Scholar Awards and a Godby High community service award.
In addition to excelling academically, they also flourish in extracurricular activities. They were inducted into the National Honor Society and recently played in “Shrek the Musical” as part of a theatrical group.
Saniah has been nominated in the arts category and Llayna in the English language arts category for Leon County’s Best and Brightest class of 2024. The Ruby Diamond Concert Hall will host a ceremony on May 15 to reveal the winners.
The Maul twins attribute their ambition to their parents, James and Annie Leonard, who began educating their daughters at a young age by reading and playing music to them in their cribs.
Their mother asserted that her daughter’s performance did not surprise her. “This isn’t a surprise, because in our house the importance of family and education has always been a priority. I believe the foundation to a good education is an early start.” Her husband also noted, “They really like being challenged, in a good way, of course, and I like that. They don’t settle. They try to learn as much as they can.”
Saniah intends to enroll at Florida A&M University as a junior with an Animal Science Industry major in the autumn. In the future, she hopes to work as a science teacher and as a wildlife veterinarian.
Llayna, on the other hand, is unsure of the university she wants to go to but knows she wants to study psychology.
