CHELSEA, Mass. – Starting high school is tough enough as it is. Even harder moving to a new high school freshman year, in a new country, where you barely know the language.

That was the reality for twin sisters Ashley and Hazel Martinez, 18, who migrated from El Salvador to the United States three years ago, in search of a better life.

"First it was really hard because of the language and also a new culture and new friends, new school, everything was so different,” Hazel said.

"We are grateful that our teachers were very supportive, like, 'We understand you guys are from a different country,' and they were very patient," said Ashley.

She's referring to the teachers and staff at Chelsea High School.

"I think we’re really lucky to have them," said Chelsea Athletic Director Amanda Alpert, who has known the twins since they arrived three years ago.

Alpert said watching them grow from English language learners to honors students in such a short amount of time has been nothing short of amazing.

"They do what’s right in and out of the classroom, on and off the court. They came here from El Salvador, November of their freshman year, knowing almost no English, and now they’re AP honors students. They’re taking classes at Bunker Hill (Community College) with early college,” said Alpert.

The twins have also become stars on the Volleyball court, serving as co-captains this year.

"Honestly, she likes a lot of giving orders, so she’s very strict," Ashley said of her twin sister's leadership style.

"With all the team, she is very sweet. She is also very good as a captain," Hazel said of twin sister Ashley.

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