Sister Scholars: Kathryn and Bridgett Kloiber Lead the Class of 2026 with Faith, Excellence, and Purpose

In a remarkable and inspiring achievement, twin sisters Bridgett and Kathryn Kloiber have earned the highest honors in their graduating class — Valedictorian and Salutatorian of the Allentown Central Catholic High School Class of 2026. Their accomplishment reflects not only years of academic excellence, but also a deep commitment to faith, family, and personal growth.

From their earliest days at St. John Vianney Regional School in Allentown, where they attended preschool through 8th grade, the Kloiber sisters demonstrated a love of learning and a drive to succeed. Their journey has been defined by both collaboration and a healthy sense of competition — always pushing each other to improve while remaining each other’s strongest support system.

“We’ve always encouraged one another,” they shared. “There’s definitely been some competition, but it’s always been rooted in wanting the best for each other.”

Their work ethic became especially clear during their senior year at Allentown Central Catholic. Even after class rankings were announced, both Bridgett and Kathryn continued studying late into the night — often until 2 a.m. — determined to finish strong and uphold the standards they had set for themselves.

“Both girls are among the hardest working students I have ever taught,” said Robert Baser, ACCHS English Teacher. “They consistently came in for extra help with their AP essays, only satisfied with the very best they could do. Both girls kept working until the very last day, two weeks after the exam was over.”

Kathryn, the Class of 2026 Salutatorian, will be attending Hamilton College, where she will pursue a neuroscience major on a full scholarship. Initially interested in biology, Kathryn discovered her passion for neuroscience through her Anatomy class and Science Olympiad competitions. Her curiosity about the human body — particularly the “why” behind its processes — led her to a field that blends science, discovery, and innovation.

“Kathryn and Bridgett have a true love of learning, and applying their knowledge from one subject to another,” said Patrick Sutton, Mathematics Dept. Chairperson and National Honor Society Advisor. “Every year, I assign a project in Honors Precalculus where the students have to use the graphs of various functions to create some sort of design or artwork. The Kloibers artfully recreated the famous paintings The Scream and Starry Night with perfect mathematical functions — they were true works of art! Their enthusiasm for the material was a model for all students.”

Looking ahead, Kathryn is considering a career as a Pediatrician or Neurologist. She also hopes to conduct research on Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders. For Kathryn, her future is guided not only by academic goals, but also by her faith and desire to build a family grounded in Catholic values.

In her salutatory speech, she encouraged her classmates to pursue their passions wholeheartedly: “Pursue what you love, whether that comes with twelve more years of schooling or none at all. Life can feel like a cliché at times, but it’s up to you to make it something more… God has a very unique plan for each of us, and we’ve got the rest of our lives to discern and learn what that is.” 

Bridgett, the Class of 2026 Valedictorian, will also attend Hamilton College, where she plans to major in Neuroscience and continue preparing for medical school. Inspired by her Anatomy and Physiology class, Bridgett developed a strong interest in understanding the brain at the cellular and molecular level and how diseases affect the nervous system.

Hamilton College, known for its rigorous academics and small liberal arts environment, proved to be the perfect fit for both sisters. As the last school they visited during their college search, its small class sizes, high academic standards, and close faculty relationships solidified their decision.

Bridgett is considering a future as a neurologist or oncologist and is equally committed to conducting research during her college years. Known for her determination and drive to always improve, Bridgett exemplifies the mindset of continuous growth.

Her valedictory speech reflected both thoughtfulness and faith: “Live your life not to be remembered, but to live… You won’t be remembered by telling people to remember you, but by giving them something to remember through the life you lived…To lead others to Christ, we must set good examples and live Christian lives.” 

Outside of the classroom, Kathryn and Bridgett have built an impressive record of achievement in athletics and extracurricular activities. Both were standout soccer players, beginning their journey on the first day of SJV — coincidentally the same day they first stepped onto the soccer field.

Their club soccer team for the last six years reached three State Cup championship games and went on to win a United States Youth Soccer title, earning recognition as one of the top-ranked teams in the state. Both sisters were also selected for the prestigious Vikette Award for soccer excellence. In addition, they qualified for Districts and EPC Championships in Track & Field.  Bridgett was also recognized as the EPC female scholar athlete for Central’s Track & Field team.

Their talents extend beyond athletics. Kathryn earned multiple writing competition awards at SJV across three categories, while both sisters share a love of music and intellectual exploration. They were also selected to participate in the Witherspoon Institute program at Princeton Seminary, where they studied Theology and Philosophy alongside students from across the country — an experience that further deepened their faith and challenged them academically.

Teachers, coaches, and mentors have consistently praised the sisters not only for their achievements, but for their character.

"Bridgett and Kathryn represent the very best of what it means to be a student-scholar,” said Jared Smith, B.S. Ed., AP US History and AP Government Teacher. “They set a standard of absolute excellence, always striving for perfection. But what makes them truly exceptional isn't just their work ethic or how actively they participated in class — it’s their character. It has been an absolute privilege to watch them succeed."

“When I first met Bridgett and Kathryn in my classroom, I, like many, had a difficult time distinguishing one from the other; even their work rate and attention to detail is off the charts,” said Kathleen Rasley, MA, Theology Department Chair and National Honor Society Advisor. “They are always striving to do their best and make a positive impact; pursuing excellence in everything that they aspire to accomplish. As Senior NHS members, they were the first ones to volunteer to help a freshman who was struggling and requested tutoring.

The girls brought their notes from freshman year and worked together to help the student improve not only on tests, but also in navigating Freshman year for all of their classes. Above and beyond the expectation, no matter what they set out to do, both Bridgett and Katie go out of their way to better each other and all those around them. I look forward to hearing about their success!”

“They are incredibly well-rounded — strong students, talented athletes, and individuals of integrity,” one coach shared. “They thrive when challenged and always rise to the occasion.”

As they prepare to begin the next chapter of their journey, Kathryn and Bridgett Kloiber remain grounded in the values that have shaped their success: faith, family, discipline, and a passion for learning.

“Our goal has always been to use the gifts we’ve been given,” they said, “but also to keep pushing ourselves to grow.”

The ACCHS Class of 2026 will be remembered for many accomplishments — but leading the way are two sisters whose shared journey of excellence, faith, and determination will leave a lasting legacy.