ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Peter, left, and his wife Mary Kurpiel hold a picture of their two daughters, Kristin, left, and Allison.
BY MICHELE DURGIN
LYNN — Allison and Kristin Kurpiel are twin sisters from Lynn truly making a difference in the world at the ripe-old age of 21.
Peter and Mary Kurpiel beam with pride over their girls and described them as motivated and independent self-starters.
“We are lucky to have such great kids,” said Peter Kurpiel. “They are hard workers and have always done the right thing.”
The sisters graduated from Lynn Classical High School in 2012 with high-ranking academic honors. Kristin ranked fourth in the senior class and Allison ranked seventh, rounding off their high school years by completing a combined 17 advanced placement courses.
The sisters were accepted to 21 colleges throughout the country, including Harvard, Tufts, MIT and Notre Dame.
Allison ultimately chose the University of Vermont and graduated with top grades in just over three years. Kristin enrolled at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and earned her bachelor’s degree in three years.
Although they share strong academic skills, Peter and Mary Kurpiel said their daughters are markedly different young women. Allison is the planner and a “by the book” personality, while Kristin is drawn to social causes and “more heart-driven,” said Mary Kurpiel.
“Making the world a better place is a priority to her,” she said.
Allison plans to travel to Thailand in October with an international nonprofit organization that offers teaching jobs around the world. A Phi Beta Kappa member, the oldest honor society for the liberal arts and science students in the country, she is looking forward to her upcoming year in Thailand.
“I hope I will be able to help people turn their lives around through education,” she said.
Before she leaves, Allison will probably ask her twin sister for some advice about living so far away from home. Kristin is volunteering in the WorldTeach program and is spending a year teaching in the Marshall Islands in the central Pacific Ocean.
There is no running water or electricity and, according to her mom, fish and coconuts are pretty much the daily menu.
“I send boxes filled with healthy nonperishable food, along with toys and trinkets that she shares with the local children,” said Mary Kurpiel.
Kristin will return home after ending her year of service in June.
The twins have three sisters, Jennifer, Sara and Casey, along with nieces, Jayda and Jenna and a nephew, Jacob.
“I am looking forward to the whole family spending time together this summer,” said Mary Kurpiel.
