College : UCLA Career goals : Doctor ( Tholirak ) and engineer ( Tholiran )

About Tholirak and Tholiran : Twins Tholirak and Tholiran Chhon do pretty much everything together , including earning all A ’ s at McLane High School . Their academic achievements are especially impressive as they have only been in the United States since August of 2022 , arriving from Cambodia where their father had worked at the U . S . Embassy for 20 years . The twins arrived with limited English skills but embraced their new American life . Tholiran said they were welcomed at McLane and that teachers and the staff were very helpful , which made him want to do well in his classes .

Tholirak said his favorite aspect of McLane was learning about college opportunities , including campus visits , through the Rising Scholars program . He plans to be a doctor . Tholiran said his favorite thing about high school was the free lunches . He will pursue mechanical engineering because he enjoys math and is good at building things .

They both eventually want to attend UCLA , but with limited funds for college , they plan to join the Army National Guard , which they said offers help with college tuition and assistance in buying a home . They hope the Army National Guard can also help accelerate the process to become citizens . They are grateful to their parents for seeking better opportunities for their children in the U . S . and want successful careers so they can take care of their parents . Tholiran said , “ My big goal is to build a house for my parents .”

In Tholirak ’ s words : “ The greater the challenge , the better the glory .”

In Tholiran ’ s words : “ Smile upon hardship because you might learn something from it .”

From Mee Moua , counselor at McLane High School : “ These brothers have big goals . They will enlist in the Army National Guard and will work towards being UCLA Bruins in the near future .”