Northport HS Valedictorian to Attend Princeton with Twin

Northport High School Valedictorian Corrie Kavanaugh was shocked when she read her acceptance letter from Princeton University. 

"I couldn't believe I got in," she said of her top choice school. An even bigger shock came when she realized she was going to be attending with her twin sister, Kate. The two are sisters in a triplet. Their brother will be attending Indiana University in the fall. 

"I was super excited when I heard she had gotten in and she was just nervous that I wouldn't get in when she got in," said Corrie. "So when I got in it was a huge relief and we were screaming and hugging each other."

Though they'll be attending the same school, the sisters need their space and won't be sharing a dorm.

"Oh, God, no. We would kill each other," Corrie laughed. "She'd yell at me for making the room messy and I would yell at her for getting up really early." 

A math and science natural, Corrie will be studying aeronautical engineering. A passion for aircraft struck her when she attended summer camp at NASA going into her junior year.

"I thought it was absolutely fascinating," she said. "I've always been very hands-on oriented and into building things."

Graduating with a 106 out of 100 weighted GPA carries perks aside from getting into Princeton. Iconic aerospace giant Northrop Grumman chose her as among five recipients nationwide for a NextGen Engineers Scholarship that provides $10,000 for tuition and school expenses over four years and a paid internship each summer.

Corrie said she hopes to work there sometime down the line, but maintains an open horizon.

"I'm very indecisive," she said. "I'm not sure what career patch I want to take."

Outside of her academic life at Northport High School, Corrie made strides in the track and cross country team and served as co-Captain this year. She also plays flute in the marching band and does humanitarian work with Students for 60,000, attending two service trips to Nicaragua during her high school career.