Twin sisters to represent Prairie High School as valedictorians

May 26, 2023

Mercedes and Alexis KienzlePeople attending Prairie High School’s graduation on Thursday, June 8, may feel like they’re seeing double during the valedictorian speech. That’s because it will be presented by Mercedes and Alexis Kienzle, near-identical twins. Mercedes, who goes by Sadie, is quick to point out she’s the older twin…by one minute. 

The pair have kept busy this year, going to nationals in gymnastics, as well as participating in cheer, track, journalism club and more activities. On top of that, both hold down part-time jobs. All while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. 

“We don’t sleep,” Sadie jokes.

The pursuit of a perfect educational record began with a challenge from their father when the girls were in fourth grade: a trip to Europe in their senior year in exchange for straight A’s. 

“Going into my junior year, we were both kind of realizing that if we kept up with the 4.0 [GPA] that would actually happen,” Sadie said, “and I think that motivated both of us to finish strong.”

Their father was good to his word too. Spring break this year was spent visiting Rome, London and Paris.

Aside from often being mistaken for each other, the twins say that life is just normal for them as it is for most 17-year-olds. “I mean, we don’t know anything else, so the idea of not having a twin would almost seem weirder to me now,” said Lexie. 

Plus, they’re actually not that unusual. This year’s senior class at Prairie High School has five sets of twins, including the Kienzle girls. “It’s been nice always having someone to do something with,” Sadie said. “I’ve enjoyed that part of being a twin, for sure.”

Like most other seniors in their class, this is the first year they’ve experienced high school life largely unaffected by the pandemic. Both said they’ve embraced the opportunity as much as possible.

“I feel like I’m more appreciative of the fact we get to have the games and the dances and, just honestly, come to school at all,” Sadie said. “I’ve definitely tried to go to everything I can because it’s the last chance I have to do it.”

“Not being able to see our teachers [during COVID] was weird,” added Lexie. “So now I feel like I appreciate all of them a lot more.”

They hope to voice that appreciation through their valedictorian speech during graduation, though that process is just getting started.

“We have ‘welcome…’ and that’s it,” Sadie joked.

“Just rough ideas right now,” her sister agreed. “We know we want to talk about our appreciation for all the teachers and staff who’ve helped us get to where we are, and talk about our four years at Prairie.”

As for life after high school, both teens will be attending Boise State University in the fall.They didn’t plan to go to the same college, it just worked out that way. “Not living together though, thank goodness,” laughed Sadie. “That would be a bit too much,” her sister agreed. 

Lexie is hoping to pursue a career in athletic training or sports medicine, while Sadie will study business with an eye toward possibly taking over the family business. “My dad said I have to work my way up from the very bottom though,” she said.

Given their high school accomplishments, it’s a safe bet both young ladies will be successful in whatever they decide to do.

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