The West Hempstead twins were celebrated in 2023 when they graduated as salutatorian and valedictorian, while also earning all-state honors in track and field.
This after they secured funding for their high school science program by creating biodegradable masks in 2021, and also made headlines.
Now sophomores at Yale, the Guerrier sisters are once again balancing academics, athletics and ambitious goals for the future.
Driven from the start
Gloria credits their success to sheer determination.
“It was really putting my head down and getting done as much as I possibly can,” she said. “We held each other accountable and talked at night about our goals to keep our motivation alive.”
Their mother, Marie J. Noel Guerrier, said that competitive drive has been there since before they were born.
“Even when they were in my belly, they were competitive,” she recalled. “That drive and energy never left them. They take their life and future seriously.”
The twins even moved off campus to avoid weekend party noise so they could better focus on their studies.
Top: (L-R) Gloria Guerrier and Victoria Guerrier. Photo Credit: yalebulldogs.com
Inspired by their parents
Victoria points to their father, Jonas Guerrier, as her greatest inspiration. A former science teacher who came to the U.S. from Haiti on a scholarship to Clemson, he left behind generational poverty to create opportunities for his children.
“Helping my father was one of my key motivators,” Victoria said. “The reason I even had the opportunity to work hard and achieve my dreams was because of his sacrifices.”
Jonas later faced a devastating prostate cancer and multiple system atrophy diagnosis. He passed away in July, a loss that left the family heartbroken but strengthened the twins’ resolve.
“It was a very hard time for us, but thank God, my daughters grew stronger through it,” their mother said.
Victoria was even selected for a research program at MIT to develop communication technology for patients with neurological disorders, inspired by her father’s struggle.
Their mother has also served as a role model, working 25 years as a respiratory therapist at Downstate Medical.
A passion for science, AI
Gloria and Victoria both found themselves drawn to science and computer engineering, with a focus on artificial intelligence.
“I’m surrounded by family members in STEM,” said Gloria. “Understanding how the world works fulfills something in my soul.”
Victoria originally leaned toward English, but ultimately returned to science.
“My love for science really grew out of appreciation for its potential to explain the world we live in and figure out novel ways to help people,” she said.
Both sisters see AI as a field with vast potential, particularly in health care. “It can help patients like my father gain back functions he lost due to illness,” Victoria said.
Succeeding on the track, too
On top of their academic pursuits, the twins continue to compete on the track team.
Victoria became Ivy League champion in the 800 meters last year and earned medals competing for Haiti. Gloria represented France this summer, winning bronze.
Looking ahead
Despite their accomplishments, the sisters say they are still adjusting to the independence of college life — including living in separate rooms for the first time.
“College is everything I hoped for and more, but managing my freedom effectively has been challenging,” Victoria said.
Still, they continue to push forward with Olympic dreams for 2028 and 2032, and career goals that stretch into medicine and technology.
“Hopefully, I would have developed a biomedical device that is on the market,” said Victoria.
“I would use my education to continue the development of brain-computer interfaces to restore the voices of those who involuntarily lost them,” added Gloria.
Top: Top: (L-R) Gloria Guerrier and Victoria Guerrier. Photo Credit: yalebulldogs.com
