Not even Calculus could separate Hadlie and Hallie Ross.

Well, it almost did.

Hallie Ross getting a better grade in Calculus created the slightest separation in the twin sisters’ grade point averages -- .006 to be exact -- at Waldron High School.

That bothered Hadlie Ross enough to bear down for one final semester of stellar grades to get back even with her younger sister.

The plan worked. By the time the school year ended, Hadlie Ross (photo, left) and Hallie Ross were crowned co-valedictorians for the Class of 2022.

Their final act as Mohawks came at graduation when they delivered the valedictorian address together.

“I liked our speech. I liked that we got to give it together,” said Hadlie. “I felt like it made it more special.”

And it allowed the quieter Hallie to share the moment rather than step into the spotlight.

“I don’t do well talking on my own,” she said with a smile.

With their first quiet summer schedule in years, the Ross sisters will enjoy two vacations before heading off to college.

“We don’t usually take vacations in the summer because of (basketball) practice,” said Hadlie. The sisters were part of the Waldron basketball team that won sectional and regional titles this past season.

Once August rolls around, the sisters will prepare for separate journeys. Hadlie is headed south to Bloomington to study Human Biology at Indiana University while Hallie goes north to Indianapolis to study Psychology and Biology at Butler University.

Each decision shows the difference in their personalities.

“I think it’s more of a college experience when there are more people,” explained Hadlie, who mentioned she probably would have attended Purdue if not IU. “I visited our sister at Hanover (College) and I thought it felt more like high school than when I visited IU and Purdue. I just like the bigger environment. It felt like being part of a huge community plus I like the D1 sports.”

Hallie was not a fan of the larger campuses and the thought of being in a class with hundreds of other students.

“I think a big lecture hall like they have at IU would be too overwhelming for me,” said Hallie. “At college, there are way more students than are in (one large class). I think that is a big enough step up for me.”

The pair admit they will be challenged by living apart, although they admit they rarely studied with each other despite taking several classes together at Waldron. Each will have to find a new competitive element to push them to success.

Hadlie plans to use her time at IU to prepare for dental school, also in Bloomington. Hallie sees her time at Butler as the way to become a psychiatrist.

“I think people are interesting and a lot of people need a psychiatrist,” said Hallie. “Plus, I volunteer at a hospital and I really like that environment.”

Technology will keep them close but both seem ready for a new challenge.

“It will be weird. I am with her almost every second of every day,” said Hadlie. “It will be weird but we can Facetime. I think we will get more comfortable with it as we get more into college.”

That is if they can survive being freshmen all over again.

“That’s so weird to say that. I’m not (ready),” said Hadlie. “I feel like I won’t be as prepared. Like being a senior, you know what you need to do. You know all the tricks. As a freshman, you don’t know anything.”

The co-valedictorians are the daughters of Jonathon Ross and Heather and Anthony Thomas.

(This is the third in a 10-part series highlighting the Class of 2022 valedictorians and salutatorians from the five Shelby County high schools.)