More than 900 people attended the recent Alabama Southern Community College Commencement, but no one could believe their eyes when they saw identical twins, Shaneshia and Taneshia Irvin, of Demopolis.

“People have always taken a second glance at us when we are together,” says Shaneshia in reference to her unbelievable likeness to her sister. “We are identical. We dress identically every day and that draws a lot of attention.”

The twins graduated from ASCC on May 13, both with cosmetology certificates.

“We have always loved styling other people’s hair and were always asked to do that in high school and beyond,” said Taneshia. “When we were growing up our mom would style our hair and then we would always change it, so we started practicing on each other’s hair at an early age.”

The sisters, even though they enjoy spending time together and working together, are also extremely competitive.

“I always got more A’s than her,” sister Shaneshia quips, and the sisters laugh identically. “But we both made the Dean’s list many times!”

Shaneshia will graduate “with distinction”, an honor for certificate graduates with a grade point average of 3.50 or higher.

“We have been asked many times to fix our friends’ or relatives’ hair,” says Taneshia. “Even for weddings and high school functions like pageants.”

The Irvin twins say that they hope that their popularity and demand as amateur hair stylists will continue as they launch careers as professionals this summer.

The twins add that cosmetology is something that they believe they were just born to do.

ASCC cosmetology instructor, Ruby Ward, agrees.

“These girls, like all of my students this year, have been a great pleasure to work with. I will miss seeing them every day but I have no doubt that they will be very successful in their careers. They both have a natural talent and ability to style hair and work with clients.”

The ASCC Cosmetology Certificate Program is designed to prepare students for a promising career in the art of beauty and qualify them to take the Alabama Board of Cosmetology licensing exam.