Identical twin sisters who recently made history at Spelman College have penned a self-help book to inspire young people to achieve excellence in every aspect of their lives.
Last year, Kirstie and Kristie Bronner, both music majors, were the first twins to ever graduate as co-valedictorians from the college.
The Bronner twins both scored perfect 4.0 GPA’s. Spelman was also the alma mater of their mother and grandmother.
Since then, the girls have been busy forging careers as youth pastors at Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral in Georgia, pastored by their father, Bishop Dale Bronner.
Kirstie and Kristie, now both 23, said their latest accomplishment, Double Vals: The Keys to Success in College and Life Beyond, is a perfect resource to achieve success through faith, discipline and good old-fashioned hard work.
“We tried to put in the book the mindset of success and strategies on how to get there,” Kirstie said. “Like being on time, valuing excellence and doing your best in everything you do.”
Part memoir and part self-help, the book offers an abundance of practical advice to encourage students to achieve academic and personal success. It explores topics such as study tips, scheduling perfection, balanced living, committing to excellence and time management.
The twins worked on the individual chapters of the 175-page book separately and then came together to revise and edit.
“Each chapter evolved with both our ideas; we can’t even remember who wrote the original chapters,” Kirstie said.
The girls, who display a level-headed maturity well beyond their years, said although Double Vals is aimed at high schoolers and college students, it is also an invaluable guide for readers of all ages.
“The majority of the book can be used by anyone who wants a greater level of life excellence,” Kristie said. “So we talk about the value of doing everything that you do 100 percent. Most of the principles are things that people can use even in their careers as well as in whatever academic level they are.”
Kirstie says being part of the Bronner Brothers dynasty has given her a unique insight into what it takes to be a success. The family is best known for business (Bronner Bros Hair Show and Upscale Magazine) and ministry.
“In our upbringing, we learned a lot about leadership and life success because we come from a family that has demonstrated that throughout their entire life,” she said. “A lot of the principles are things we have learned, things we have soaked up by being around successful people our entire lives.”
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