Logan and Ashton Morgan of the Beaufort Ward, Hilton Head South Carolina Stake, know what it is like to strive for — and achieve — academic excellence. The twins are ranked first and second in their graduating class at Battery Creek High School, with Logan as valedictorian and Ashton as salutatorian.
The twins have six older siblings — four of whom were also valedictorians of their high school classes.
Parents Daniel and Michelle Morgan said they did not realize that their oldest child, Allyson, was ranked so highly in her class until the end of her junior year when she won an award. The same thing happened with their second child, Grayson.
“It was then we started paying attention,” Michelle Morgan said.
The third child, Landon, followed in their footsteps.
“Next to their spiritual development, academics was a priority. Each of our children has different gifts and talents, and we couldn’t be more pleased with each of them,” Michelle Morgan said. “We continued to see them strive and thrive in school.”
The next two children graduated high in their classes, and the sixth child, Dallin, was the valedictorian of his class. This made the Morgans ready to start watching their twins.
When Logan and Ashton turned 16 and were old enough to drive a car, Michelle Morgan requested their high school transcripts to see if she could get a good student discount on auto insurance.
To her surprise, both grade-point averages were identical. And the twins maintained their tie for No. 1 in their class going into their junior and senior years.
They hoped to graduate as co-valedictorians, but Logan pulled ahead in the third quarter of their senior year.
“Working to become valedictorian required a lot of discipline,” he said. “Taking the most challenging classes possible and pushing through those difficult courses created an even greater desire to be valedictorian.”
Ashton said: “My family was so excited that Logan and I were tied for so long for valedictorian. … I know they are proud of both of us and our accomplishments. I am proud of Logan and his work to become valedictorian.”
In working to maintain a balance, the brothers attended early morning seminary to strengthen themselves spiritually. They took difficult high school classes to grow intellectually, and played soccer and volleyball to improve physically. They each served in student government positions and worked at a local fast food restaurant to be social and strengthen their leadership abilities.
Ashton said, “Balancing each part made me a better student.”
Now that they are finished with high school, the twins will serve full-time teaching missions. Logan has been called to the Brazil João Pessoa Mission, and Ashton to the India New Delhi Mission.
After their missions, the twins plan to attend Brigham Young University, where Logan will study anesthesiology and Ashton will study optometry.
Ashton said his parents and older siblings are his role models, because they share his standards and beliefs, and they found success, peace and happiness with these standards.
“Each of my siblings showed me how to balance my life and fill it with important and worthwhile things,” Ashton said. “I strive to follow these examples because I have witnessed their success in spiritual, intellectual, social and physical aspects.”
— Hilton Head South Carolina Stake communication director Emily Loader contributed to this report
