José Ignacio and José Emilio Araujo Rodríguez, twin seniors at Northeast Early College High School, are preparing to graduate after moving from Venezuela to Austin in 2023, according to a May 8 announcement. The brothers started their education in the United States at International High School before transferring to Northeast Early College High School.
Their story highlights the experience of adapting to a new country, school system, language, and college-level coursework. The twins found support through teachers, family, and friends as they adjusted. At Northeast Early College High School, they participated in tennis, music classes including guitar class, National Honor Society, Student Council, Golf Club and Track & Field.
“Definitely say yes to everything,” José Ignacio and José Emilio said. “Try everything and find yourself in high school.”
The Austin Independent School District supports a multicultural environment with over 100 languages spoken by students across its 116 diverse school communities that include elementary through early college schools. The district educates more than 72,000 students with over 5,000 classroom teachers and maintains a graduation rate of 93.3 percent while exceeding state averages on SAT and ACT scores—all while focusing on partnering with families and the community to equip students for success in college or career according to the official website.
Looking ahead after graduation this spring, one brother plans to major in computer science at the University of Texas at San Antonio while the other will attend Austin Community College before pursuing a nursing degree at the University of Texas at Austin. Despite heading down different paths after high school graduation, both say their bond as twins—and as family—remains strong.
