Double the Diplomas: Seven Sets of Greenup County Twins Celebrate Graduation Together

Double the Diplomas:

Seven Sets of Greenup County

Twins Celebrate Graduation Together

Deidra Bowling-Meade

The Ashland Beacon

In a year filled with celebrations and milestones, Greenup County schools marked a rare distinction with an unusually large number of twins graduating in the Class of 2026. Seven sets of twins crossed the stage from Raceland-Worthington High School, Russell High School and Greenup County High School, each carrying a unique story of friendship, individuality and lifelong connection.

According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately one in every 90 births results in twins. The International Council of Multiple Birth Organisations reports nearly 70 percent of all twins are fraternal rather than identical. Researchers have also noted twin birth rates increased significantly between 1980 and 2015 due to factors such as fertility treatments and women choosing to have children later in life.

Fraternal twins are the most common type of twins and occur when two separate eggs are fertilized by two separate sperm. Fraternal twins may be the same gender or different genders, with each baby developing separately in the womb. Identical twins occur when one fertilized egg splits early in pregnancy, resulting in two babies who share the same DNA. Identical twins are always the same gender and often appear very similar, though even identical twins do not share identical fingerprints.

Still, statistics reveal little about the relationships many twins describe. For some members of the Class of 2026, being a twin meant sharing nearly every classroom since preschool. For others, it meant growing up with a built-in best friend, protector and constant source of support.

Now that graduation has passed, many of these students are stepping into something unfamiliar: separate colleges, different careers and independent futures for the first time in their lives.

At Raceland-Worthington High School, four sets of twins graduated together in a class of just 74 seniors, something counselor Andrea Coldiron called highly unusual.

Coldiron shared, “It is very unique and unusual for us to have four sets of twins in our senior class. The students think it is cool.”

Three of the school’s four twin sets are identical, which Coldiron admitted initially created challenges for teachers and staff trying to distinguish between students.

Coldiron commented, “At first, I could barely tell the identical sets apart. Once I became familiar with each of them, now I can tell them apart from far away. Their personalities are very different. Sometimes, we have to remind ourselves that they really are twins!”

Though many people assume twins share identical personalities and goals, Coldiron stated her experience working with students has shown the opposite.

“I really do not see that many common trends between them. Each individual has his or her own strengths. It is important to help develop these strengths and lead them in directions that are best for each individual,” Coldiron explained.

Some of the twins at Raceland-Worthington will continue together at the same colleges, while others are preparing to attend different schools for the first time in their lives. Even so, Coldiron believes the bond between twins remains especially strong.

Coldiron remarked, “Even though each is setting out on new adventures, they still have a very strong twin bond. I believe this bond will continue to be strong even if the future leads them in different directions.”

Among Raceland-Worthington’s graduating twins are Stephen and Michael Pennington. While the brothers share similar appearances and personalities, their post-graduation plans are leading them down different career paths.

Stephen plans to enter a lineman program after high school and enjoys fishing and welding in his spare time. Michael will continue his education in the Applied Process Technologies program at ACTC. His hobbies include golf, fishing, lifting weights, and working.

Despite their different interests, both brothers emphasized the importance of growing up together.

Stephen described the experience simple but meaningfully. “We grew up together, and he always has my back,” he said. Michael added, “It’s like growing up with a bodyguard.”

The twins both described each other as confident and acknowledged similarities in their hair and clothing styles. As graduation approaches, they also share hopes for each other’s happiness and success.

“I wish he gets what he wants, and he’s happy,” Stephen said. Michael echoed those feelings: “I hope Stephen accomplishes his goals and will be successful.”

Another set of Raceland-Worthington twins, Laykin and Skyler Gallion, are preparing to continue their educational journeys together at Eastern Kentucky University. Though they will pursue different fields of study, the sisters are excited to remain side by side.

Laykin plans to study veterinary medicine and currently volunteers at Ashland Animal Clinic. She enjoys reading and hiking. Skyler volunteers as a firefighter with the Little Sandy Volunteer Fire Department and intends to study Fire Arson Investigation.

The sisters described themselves as extremely close and nearly inseparable throughout childhood.

Laykin commented, “We do everything together and have always done everything together. We have always had the same class schedule, shared clothes, and even shared a room at one point.” Skyler declared, “We get to do it again in college!”

Laykin admitted that being twins sometimes means disagreements happen frequently, but those moments never last long.

Laykin explained, “We get into arguments often but quickly get over them and go back to our normal conversations. If I see her crying, I start to cry, and if she’s upset, I’m mad for her. She always stands up for me and helps me when I’m struggling. I know if I have no one else, I definitely have her.”

Skyler described Laykin as her lifelong best friend. Skyler reflected, “We have always been each other’s best friends. Laykin has always been the person I go to for help and the only person I can tell everything to.”

The twins share many similarities, including music tastes, clothing styles, media interests, and humor. Yet each sister also described the other’s individual personality traits in detail.

Laykin described Skyler as “hard-headed, outgoing, and fun to be around,” adding that she is “very loyal to the people close to her.”

Her hopes for her sister’s future include “a successful career, her dream car, and someone who enjoys her presence as much as I do.”

Meanwhile, Skyler described Laykin as “quiet and closed off until you get to know her,” but also “kind, caring, independent, and able to hold her own when faced with a challenge.”

Skyler said she hopes Laykin will “travel to the places she’s always hoped to explore, be successful in her career, and live her life to the fullest.”

Naomi and Sophia Maynard, also graduated from Raceland-Worthington, reflected on a lifetime spent side by side in classrooms, sports, and family life. The sisters shared every class together from pre-K through senior year.

Though both have blue eyes, people often tell them apart through their hairstyles and height differences. Naomi is taller with black hair, while Sophia is shorter with blonde hair.

Following graduation, Naomi plans to attend Transylvania University, where she will play basketball and study education. Sophia plans to attend Morehead State University to study dermatology.

Naomi enjoys basketball, pickleball, shopping, and church activities. Sophia enjoys fishing, golfing, tanning, shopping, and spending time with her dog Chloe.

Both sisters emphasized how much they value one another. Naomi described Sophia as “honest and independent,” adding, “I value how she uses her voice and will always stand for what’s right.”

Sophia described Naomi as “empathetic, funny, athletic, and caring.”

Naomi also reflected emotionally on the gift of being a twin: “I wish everyone got to feel how amazing having a twin is. Growing up, we had every class together, and we have never left each other’s side. She’s my absolute best friend, and I’m so grateful to be a twin. It’s indescribable!”

Sophia shared that the sisters became even closer following the loss of their mother.

“We are very close and always have been,” Sophia said. “We do everything together. We have gotten even closer this past year after losing our mom.” “We are so glad our mom gave us each other,” Naomi added.

The sisters even share the same middle name — their mother’s maiden name — a connection they say now carries even deeper meaning.

Raceland-Worthington’s fourth set of twins, Drew and Alexander Harr, are also preparing for different futures while maintaining the close relationship they have always shared.

Drew plans to attend ACTC before transferring to Eastern Kentucky University, while Alexander will attend Shawnee State University to study finance.

The brothers both enjoy tennis and pickleball, though Drew also enjoys golf, baseball, working on cars, and working out. Alexander enjoys spending time with friends.

Drew responded, “I’ve had a built-in best friend my whole life. It has been very fun overall.”

Alexander acknowledged that life sometimes becomes busy, but meaningful conversations between them still matter deeply.

Alexander stated, “Sometimes neither of us really has long enough to talk, but when we do, it is meaningful and good.”

At Greenup County High School, Jordan and Kelsie Willis will both attend Morehead State University to study veterinary medicine and music. Both described each other as compassionate, funny, and supportive.

The pair share a love for bluegrass music. Jordan responded, “We have been in a family band for about 10 years. I play guitar and sing, Kelsie plays mandolin, our dad plays banjo, and we have a bass player named Ryan Moore. We started playing with our dad when we were about eight years old.”

They’ve shared their love of bluegrass music over the years at many festivals including  Poppy Mountain and Log Jam. They also played on a television show called "WoodSongs Kids."

Jordan continued, “Being a part of the band is really fun and has given us important skills and wonderful opportunities. We are able to do something we love while bringing joy to others.”

With high school behind them, these twins are beginning new chapters that will take some of them to different campuses, careers, and cities. Yet despite their separate ambitions and distinct personalities, each pair spoke of an enduring bond that has shaped their lives from birth.

“Having a twin is fun because you always have a friend,” Kelsie said. Jordan agreed, saying, “She is my best friend and I get to spend every day with her.”

At Russell High School, Ahya and Yasmeen Farhat have become widely recognized for their inseparable nature and shared sense of humor. Friends and classmates rarely see one without the other.

The twins plan to attend the University of Kentucky together, though each will pursue a different academic path. Yasmeen plans to major in mathematics, while Ahya will study chemistry.

The sisters share interests in violin, piano, and classic movies, but each also has unique hobbies. Ahya enjoys growing tomatoes and drawing chickens. Yasmeen likes completing jigsaw puzzles and collecting stamps.

When asked what it has been like growing up as twins, the sisters answered together:

“It’s a love-hate relationship, but more love than hate. Since day one, we had a built-in best friend.”

They described the comfort of always having someone beside them during school field trips, classes, and lunch periods. However, they admitted one of the hardest parts of being twins is feeling like others see them as one person rather than individuals.

The twins explained, “Both of us have had experiences where people commented on how weird it was when we were not roaming the halls together. Though we are very similar, we are unique individuals at the end of the day.”

The sisters shared classes together from Pre-K through senior year and even admitted to pulling twin-themed April Fool’s jokes at school over the years.

Though they occasionally argue, they said their disagreements never last long.

The twins reiterated, “We always make up soon after.”

Their admiration for one another was especially evident in the way they described each other’s strengths.

Ahya described Yasmeen as intellectually curious and deeply passionate about learning mathematics.

“She goes above and beyond to soak up more information on an already unfamiliar topic to truly understand what she is learning. Her being a little wizard at math, I am always very impressed with her ability to understand concepts beyond her years,” Ahya noted.

Yasmeen praised Ahya’s determination and academic discipline: “She would be upstairs reviewing flash cards and making new study materials for Governor’s Cup every day after school. I am and will always be in awe.”

When asked what they wish for each other in the future, the answer reflected the closeness they share.

They reciprocated, “Nothing in this world is more important to one another than the other being happy.”

For the Class of 2026, the number of twins may be the statistic. But for those who crossed the stage this spring, it represents a lifelong connection that began at birth and shaped nearly every part of their journey.

As caps and gowns give way to college campuses, careers and new routines, these graduates move forward as individuals. Yet the stories shared throughout this series point to a consistent truth: distance does not define the relationship.

Many described growing up with someone who understood them without explanation, challenged them without resentment and supported them without hesitation. Through childhood arguments, shared milestones, athletic competition and everyday routines, they learned how to grow together while still becoming their own people.

Graduation did not mark the end of those shared experiences — only a new chapter.

As each pair crossed the stage, they did so beside the only person who had witnessed every version of who they were and every step of who they are still becoming.