Earlier this month, H.D. Woodson High School students and twin sisters, Rickay and Mickay Thompson, graduated at the top of their class as valedictorian and salutatorian respectively.

Growing up in public housing in northeast Washington, D.C., the Thompson sisters are proof that one’s environment does not determine their success. While earning above 4.0 GPAs, they both worked 25 hours a week at a fast food restaurant to help pay bills and save up for college. Additionally, Mickay serves as class president while her sister, Rickay, acts as treasurer. The girls come home to proud parents, a living room filled with academic accolades and trophies and Rickay’s 2-year-old son, Noah.

“I kind of did just want to fall back and take time for me and my child, but I knew he wouldn’t have the best if I chose that route,” Rickay said in an interview with NBC Washington. “He’s more of a motivation for me to be as successful as possible,” she added.

When asked if competition existed between them, they agreed that instead of competing with each other, they were the other’s support and “pat on the back.”

“My message is that you can always grow from what you are or what you have,” Mickay said. “I come from a low-budget area where I live on public housing, but I did not let that stop me and I did not let that make me feel like any less of myself.”

They each plan to attend George Mason University to study pre-law and hope to open their own law firm one day.

Check out their interview with Chip Reid on CBS This Morning: