7 sets of twins graduate from Pa. high school
Seniors at North Pocono High School in Lackawanna County made it through virtual learning, share memories of prom and spring concerts, and achieved in classrooms and on the field. For seven sets of twins, the bonds are even greater.
Friday night’s graduation symbolized more than an accomplishment for the siblings — whose makeup in the class represents about double the national average for twins. By the end of the summer, most of the twins will be apart from one another for the first time in their lives.
“We need to separate at some point,” said Alexa Williams, who will attend Misericordia University while her twin, Elizabeth, heads to Lock Haven University.
“But we’ve never even spent a night apart,” Elizabeth said.
From being “built-in best friends” to being mistaken for one another by teachers and peers, the twins say they feel lucky to have shared experiences.
“It will be different. We’ve spent our whole lives together.”Kayley Jones, who will go to a different college than her twin brother
“It will be different,” said Kayley Jones, who will attend Duquesne University for biology while her brother, Casey, will go to Penn State Scranton for finance. “We’ve spent our whole lives together.”
Growing up, Madison and Julie Schriver played catch in their backyard. On the Trojans softball team, Julie pitched and Madison was the catcher.
For homework, Madison enjoyed English, and Julie liked the math. After completing assignments, the sisters helped each other.
Madison will attend Ithaca College in New York for film, photography and visual arts. Julie will go to the Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston for architecture and to play softball.
“It’s going to be a hard adjustment,” Julie said.
About 3% of babies born
in 2004, were twins, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Of the 224 seniors at North Pocono, 6% are twins.
Austin and Dylan Griffith, who describe themselves as “complete opposites,” will both go to college in Dunmore but at different schools with different majors. Austin will study
music at Marywood University, while Dylan will pursue
architecture at Penn State Scranton.
John Milewski will attend Johnson College for welding, while Thomas Milewski will study architecture at Marywood.
Shelby and Ashley Hrywnak are the only set of twins who will attend college together. The sisters both plan to study psychology at Marywood, and are waiting to see if they have similar schedules.
Erin and Colleen Hawley worked on homework together but also found their own interests. Erin loved the theater, while Colleen played tennis.
In the fall, Erin will attend Bloomsburg University for creative writing. Colleen will study psychology at Penn State.
“It’s definitely going to be tough,” Erin said of being away from her sister. “But it’s so nice we’re both following our dreams.”