Two of Fresno's brightest students have already joined an elite club. Dee Dee Thao is a senior at Edison High School and Michelle Benavidez is a senior at Central West. The two girls were the only ones in the central valley to be accepted into Yale University. The Connecticut school is admitting a record low 6.3% of its applicants this year.
Dee Dee Thao never dreamed of jumping from Edison High School to Yale University, but she applied anyway.
"I thought why not, it doesn't hurt to try," said Dee Dee Thao.
And sure enough, Yale accepted her.
"I feel special," said Thao.
Thao, who has a 4.3 GPA, is now facing quite the dilemma. Yale, Fresno State, UC Irvine, UCLA and Stanford all want her.
"I'm set on Stanford and Yale," said Thao.
The decision will ultimately come down to cost and distance. For this senior who has built up quite the resume. She's taken 9 AP classes playing varisty tennis and badminton and volunteers at a local hospital.
She hopes her work ethic sends a message to those who are at a social and economic disadvantage.
"I really want to show them and push them and show them they have the potential to do whatever they want. I think that if I attend a prestigious university it would show them that if i can do it, you can too," said Thao.
Meanwhile, the Central West campus is home to the valley's other Yale candidate, Michelle Benavidez. She applied to nearly 20 colleges, seven of which were ivy leagues.
"Since I was young I've always dreamed of these schools," said Michelle Benavidez.
They all sent her acceptance letters.
"When I sat down and started opening them one by one I was ecstatic," said Benavidez.
Benavidez, who has a 4.5 GPA, says she's always had a thirst for knowledge.
"On top of that I've always had the support of my parents who have always pushed me to reach these heights," said Benavidez.
Yale, Princeton and Brown are the frontrunners for this teen who in her spare time tutors children and helps the eldery with shopping and cleaning duties.
Following college, both young ladies plan to return to the valley to work and help people.
"I greatly appreciate everything people did for me, so i'm just trying to give a little bit back as I go down the path," said Benavidez.
Thao and Benavidez have until May 1st to decide which colleges they'll attend.