Two Long Beach sisters who excel in the classroom just learned they will be graduating at the top of their class.

Maya and Uma Arengo share a love of knowledge, which has brought each of them many academic honors.

Uma will graduate as valedictorian and Maya as salutatorian from Long Beach High School this spring.

Their teachers say both girls excel in all academic areas, including math, chemistry and English.

The fraternal twins say they are proud of their accomplishments, especially with the challenges and hurdles they faced during their senior year in the middle of a pandemic.

The high school seniors have a similar goal once they graduate – to make a difference.

"I would like to know the work I am putting in is going to affect people," said Maya.

"I will just be happy going into a field where I can apply what I've known to just do good in the world," Uma said.

Uma and Maya Arengo have applied to several Ivy League schools. They are AP Scholars with distinction and National Merit semifinalists. They also competed in the Long Island Math Fair, where they won top honors.