Twins Tabish and Airas Farrell named valedictorian and salutatorian of Mount Sinai High School

The Farrell brothers have shared much in life.

They have lived in a bedroom together for nearly 18 years; they have similar interests in the cello, martial arts and model UN; and they will both attend Princeton University in the fall to study physics. But more immediately, they will share a stage next month as valedictorian and salutatorian of Mount Sinai High School.

Tabish and Airas Farrell, 17, are the first set of twins to earn the top honors since the school’s first class graduated in 1993, said Peter Pramataris, principal of Mount Sinai High School.

"I don't think I'd be where I am without him," Tabish, who was named valedictorian, said of his brother. "You can get only so far by yourself."

'The battle was over'

When the brothers were called to the principal’s office some weeks ago, they said they wondered if they had gotten in trouble. On their way there, Airas said he went over his actions in the days prior. But the news was excellent, and the twins realized they will share yet another meaningful moment in their lives, in addition to the many birthday celebrations, musical performances at Carnegie Hall and leadership roles in student government as well as the school board’s student representative position.

For Tabish, the news came as a relief.

“Airas and I both … dedicated a lot of our life to this, obviously with the support of others,” he said. “That weight was taken off the shoulders when I heard it officially, like I could take it easy. The battle was over.”

Tabish’s GPA was 106.19 and Airas’ 105.89, Pramataris said.

“That comes with a price,” the principal said of the twin’s high achievement. “People don't realize what kids sacrifice to be at that level, whether it's just time with friends or going to an event. Maybe they had to stay home and study for that AP test.”

The brothers are both interested in quantum physics. Airas said he would like to become a researcher on quantum computing while Tabish said he intends to keep the door open when he’s in college before deciding what career he will pursue.

Succeeding together 

For the Farrells, they believe having each other has helped them excel.

“If I'm getting stuck somewhere and he's not, he can explain it to me. Or we just exchange ideas and get a deeper understanding of what we're learning,” Tabish said. “It's really been like having your best friend by your side all the time.”

Airas said his brother has at times given him a fresh perspective on situations.

“If something happens in the day, I get another view on it,” he said. “If I perceive someone as being aggressive, he can be like: ‘No, that's not what happened. They're just trying to be funny or something like that.’ I've always had a second view, like seeing double of things.”

Having a twin has also instilled in Airas a sense of empathy toward others.

“Because I've lived in tandem with another person … I feel I've grown to know what's going on with other people and be able to understand them beyond what they just say,” he said.

Their mother, Homira Farrell, said her sons are also community-minded. Along with other Muslim students, she said the two petitioned school officials to have Eid al-Fitr recognized as a school holiday. For the 2025-26 school year, the district has marked it as a superintendent’s conference day so students would have the day off.

“They ensured that future Muslim students would celebrate it with their families without missing school, … benefiting countless students today and for years to come,” she said.

Looking to the future

Born on a hot summer day in 2007, the brothers were separated by one minute. And they have slept in the same room since, despite their parents’ offering of a spare bedroom.

“If I ever do something, he can always hold the threat that he knows where I sleep over me,” Airas joked.

Their living arrangement will soon change, as the brothers will be assigned to different residential buildings on their college campus. It’s a bit unnerving, Airas said, but the brothers agreed it could be exciting as well.

“I don't think it'll be an obstacle, just something new,” Tabish said.

By Dandan Zou

dandan.zou@newsday.com@DandanZou

Dandan Zou covers education for Newsday. Previously, she worked for a community newspaper in Maryland and a personal finance magazine in Washington, D.C.