CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Two Johnson C. Smith University students, who are also roommates, are graduating in the top two spots in their class.

• Graduates hold the top spots in their class
• Relatives sent to Mexico
• Both graduate Sunday

Those big accomplishments, come despite the fact that Valeria Hernandez's mother and Damara Garcia-Garcia's brother were separately deported to Mexico.

The setback came during their toughest years of education. Hernandez is a history major, while Garcia-Garcia is studying psychology.

Neither student is letting their family member's deportation keep them from attaining success.

Both will graduate Sunday during JCSU's 2018 commencement ceremonies.