Senior twins anticipate post-high school separation

Drew Hoffmaster | The Chronicle

When Molly DeBord heads off to Bowling Green State University next fall, it will feel like leaving a part of herself. 

That’s because her twin Jamie will possibly be four hours away at the University of Kentucky. The 18-year-old fraternal twins have never been separated. 

“I’ve never had to do anything alone,” Molly DeBord said. “I’ve always been with someone which makes the topic of college so hard because it’s the first time I will be alone.”

Molly DeBord views twin sister Jamie as “a built-in best friend.” They both actively try to engage in each other’s interests. The sisters both work the same jobs at Frutta Bowls and Blush and Bubbly. They even like listening to country music stars Morgan Wallen and Lee Brice. 

Even though the end of high school is still a few months away, the sisters are thinking about what life might be like when they are faced with the prospect of living with a stranger. 

“When you move in with your college roommate, you guys aren’t friends and it might be a little bit awkward, ” Molly DeBord said. “With Jamie, I can be one hundred percent myself. I’ve never had to act like someone else.”

Molly and Jamie had always dreamed of going to the same college, but, as they started touring colleges, they both realized that this dream would not be possible. Jamie DeBord wants to go to the University of Kentucky to study Biology while Molly plans to attend Bowling Green State University to study Marine Science. 

“It was really apparent that we wanted to go to different schools,” Jamie Debord said. “I toured big schools and Molly toured very small schools that I wouldn’t want to go to and she wouldn’t want to go to the schools I was looking at.”

While the prospect of being apart causes some separation anxiety for the Debord sisters, they feel as if the split might be necessary to help them grow as individuals. Their lives are closely knitted together with the two of them sharing the same interests and friends. Jamie DeBord said that they need to get used to the fact that they will have to go down different paths.

“I’m definitely excited to start the next part of my life,” Jamie DeBord said. “I feel I need to grow up as more of an individual.”

Senior fraternal twins Caitlin and Erin Heare feel like they are prepared as they face their impending separation when it’s time to head off to college. Caitlin Heare believes their mom helped her and her sister develop individual self-reliance from a very young age. 

“Our Mom did a good job separating us in elementary school so we wouldn’t rely on each other,” Caitlin Heare said. “I did dance and [Erin] did a couple of sports that did not intertwine with dancing.”

Erin Heare is interested in studying Environmental Science in college. She has narrowed down her list to out-of-state schools like the University of Michigan or the University of South Carolina. While Caitlin, who is thinking about studying Psychology, would like to attend the University of Michigan or Ohio State University.

The Heare sisters would like to explore college on their own but they know that it will not be easy. They may already have their own friends, interests, and activities, but they will miss having someone at their side to talk to whenever either wants to talk.

“[College] is like leaving your whole family and then coming back,” Caitlin Heare said. “Whenever I come back, she’ll still be here.”

Even though they were born together, senior fraternal twins Braeden and Justin Fedders are very different. They have always shared the same room, car and video games but they are confident in their own individual identity. 

“Even though we were born the same day in the same room we are different people,” Braeden Fedders said. “We both have our own ideas and outlooks.”

The Fedders have toured colleges together and separately. They do share a desire to attend schools with good reputations and vibrant social life. Braeden is considering going to Indiana University or Ohio State University for political science or public policy. Justin is interested in Miami University, the University of Cincinnati, or Ohio State University and wants to major in business. 

“We will not go to different colleges because we want to,” Justin Fedders said. “ But we want to go to colleges that are better suited for our interests.”

While the college application process can be stressful the Fedder twins have encountered a noticeable advantage. They have been able to bounce ideas off of each other for their college essays, proofread and even use their twin experience to help them in their essays. 

“I was happy to help [Justin],” Braeden Fedders said. “It’s just typical for me to help with stuff like this.”

Once they are away at college, the Fedders are planning to call, text, and go out of their way to stay connected. Neither of them are thrilled about the change, however, they are ready to gain new experiences in life. 

“I am nervous, but it is what it is,” Braeden Fedders said. “We always knew that it would come and it will be different.