Take the photo accompanying this column as proof that Melissa Gozun and George Nemeth have indeed been seen in the same place at the same time.

Without it, it would be reasonable to wonder if one were simply the screen alias for the other.

Both are the youngest of four children. Both have parents who are both doctors. Both are hoping to become doctors themselves.

And both will proudly represent the class of 2016 as co-valedictorians at Damien Memorial School’s spring commencement.

“It’s kind of surreal,” Gozun said of the honor. “We’re going to be etched into the history of this school forever.”

Gozun is part of the first class of young women to attend Damien since the school went coed in 2012.

“It was a little intimidating at first,” Gozun said. “There was some resistance from people who had been at the school the entire time. But I enjoyed my time here. Damien gave me a unique experience that I wouldn’t have been able to have anywhere else.”

Nemeth entered Damien that same year. The coed environment that helped revitalize the school after years of foundering attendance is all he and Gozun have known of their alma mater. It’s a space of collegial interaction and growth to which both have contributed.

In addition to being outstanding young scholars, Gozun and Nemeth are active in school and community activities.

Both are members of the school’s Key Club and robotics team, for which Nemeth serves as captain.

Nemeth is also involved in the Junior ROTC program and its affiliated air rifle team. Gozun participates in the Music Ministry Choir, the Pacific Asian Affairs Council and the forensics team. She also serves as president of the school chapter of the National Honor Society.

The two are close friends as well as friendly academic rivals.

“I’m not sure if she’d admit it, but it’s been good to have some competition to push us both forward,” Nemeth said.

Gozun and Nemeth both say they are highly motivated by their desire to one day improve the lives of others as doctors, just as their parents have done.

They might yet share a few more steps along that path. Both have already been accepted to Notre Dame and the University of Hawaii. Gozun is also considering Georgetown University, Boston College, the University of California at Santa Clara and Creighton University.

Nemeth is entertaining offers from West Point, the University of Southern California and Carnegie Mellon University.

Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@staradvertiser.com.