Twin sisters Marissa and Katie Fernandez of Carle Place are a double success!

The 17-year-old girls are entering their senior year at Carle Place High School, and both are outstanding students and athletes. And recently, they have, individually, had some quite impressive accomplishments to report.

Marissa Fernandez was selected to travel to our nation's capital as a participant in the debut of Presidential Classroom's Media and Democracy Program. The program gives scholars opportunities to analyze the interplay among a robust, free press, a well-informed citizenry and the functioning of open and democratic governments. The program took place in the last week of June.

Marissa joined hundreds of high school students from across the country and abroad, to take part in seminars presented by leaders representing each branch of government, the military, media and lobbying organizations. Students are scheduled for a private tour of the White House and appointments with their senators' and representatives' offices. Students also attended workshops conducted by staff members of the Newseum (the world's first interactive museum).

Katie Fernandez recently participated in the Institute for International Sports' third annual World Scholar Athlete Games at the University of Rhode Island in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. The event drew students from 151 countries and all 50 states for 13 sports and seven cultural activities. More than 2,000 students, ages 15 to 19, participated in the program, which some have described as the artistic and athletic Olympics for teenagers.

Through the program, teenagers from countries in conflict are deliberately put together on sports teams or in cultural activities to encourage international understanding. Thirteen thousand students applied to be a part of the highly selective program.

Marissa and Katie's mother, Gail Fernandez, has expressed much pride in the girls, and wished them continued success as they finish their high school careers.