Two Caps, Two Paths Boyd County Twins Prepare for Life Beyond Graduation

Two Caps, Two Paths

 Boyd County Twins Prepare for Life Beyond Graduation

Deidra Bowling-Meade

The Ashland Beacon

Across local schools, 11 sets of twins graduated with the Class of 2026. Four of those twin pairs attended Boyd County schools, including Boyd County High School, Paul Blazer High School and Rose Hill Christian School. Nine of the 11 twin pairs participated in this feature series.

Though each set of twins shared different personalities, interests and ambitions, similar themes emerged repeatedly throughout interviews: loyalty, friendship, understanding and unconditional support.

Many described growing up with someone who celebrated milestones alongside them, defended them during difficult moments and understood experiences without explanation. Others reflected on the challenges of constantly being grouped together while trying to establish identities of their own. No statistic fully explains the connection many twins described.

Now, following graduation, these students are beginning careers, college journeys and futures that may lead them in separate directions for the first time in their lives.

At Paul G. Blazer High School, Anniston and Sydney Mertz are graduating twins stepping into adulthood together. The two will continue their journey side by side as they prepare to attend Shawnee State University.

Anniston plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Primary Education. She enjoys volleyball, pickleball, and art. Sydney plans to study occupational therapy and has been heavily involved in volleyball, cross country, and track throughout school. She also enjoys reading, movies, and pickleball.

The twins said growing up together involved both closeness and competition. Anniston explained, “It’s often difficult being a twin because people don’t realize that we aren’t one person but two. We are different people, but we also share the same interests which makes doing activities competitive but fun.” She added, “Having a twin sister is the biggest blessing.”

Sydney reflected on how much of life they have shared together from sports to coordinated childhood outfits. “We’ve done everything together,” Sydney said.

The sisters admitted they bickered frequently and always made things a competition when they were younger, but now they have become much closer with age.

Sydney recalled, “When we were younger, Anniston would always say she was older, and I would always say back that I was taller. Now the biggest argument is Anniston making me late.”

Anniston said a Key Club trip to Dollywood helped change their relationship.

Anniston pointed out, “We were forced to hang out with each other by ourselves and not argue. I realized that it was actually enjoyable to hang out together.”

Sydney reflected, “That trip was one of my favorite memories together. I made her get on roller coaster that she didn’t want to get on. We hung out with each other the entire day.”

Now the sisters are planning to room together in college. Sydney described Anniston as trustworthy, dependable, and outgoing.

“She gets me out of my comfort zone. I depend on her –her opinion matters,” Sydney said.

Anniston depicted Sydney as funny, athletic, and hard-working. Above all, Anniston feels blessed to have Sydney for her twin.

“She is always there for me and is my best friend. I love her more than life, and I couldn’t ask for anything better,” expressed Anniston.

The twins also shared several unique details about being identical “mirror twins,”which is a term used to describe some twins whose features appear asymmetrically or on opposite sides. When these twins are facing each other, it is as if they are looking in a mirror.  For example, Anniston is right-handed while Sydney is left-handed. They lost teeth on opposite sides at similar times and even experienced mirrored medical issues.

Their mother, Cristin Mertz, reflected extensively on the experience of raising twins, particularly after the girls were born prematurely at 33 weeks due to Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome. This is a rare, serious pregnancy complication in identical twins sharing a single placenta, where blood flow between the twins becomes imbalanced, threatening the health of both.

Cristin recalled, “At the end of my pregnancy, Sydney started to take nutrients away from Anniston. My water ended up breaking at 32 weeks, and I delivered them via emergency c-section right at 33 weeks. They were easy to tell apart because Sydney came out blood red, and Anniston was completely white. Sydney had taken so much blood and nutrients from Anniston through the cord. Anniston was born 3.2 lbs. and Sydney, 4.13 lbs. Because of the difference in color and size, they looked different.”

Cristin continued, “As they grew, they started to look more and more alike. Most people could not tell them apart, but my husband and I never seemed to get them mixed up.”

She said the girls’ personalities have become increasingly different with age, making it fascinating to watch them grow into individuals.

Cristin concluded, “I absolutely LOVE being a mom to twins. It comes with many challenges, but the rewards far outweigh them.”

For twins Zane and Ashley Ingram, growing up together has meant plenty of arguments, laughter, and lifelong support. Though they describe themselves as very different, both agree on one thing — they have always been close.

Ashley, who jokingly reminds her brother that she is older by one minute, said being twins has been unique because her twin is a boy.

Ashley remarked, “It feels different because I have a boy twin. When we were little, we used to fight a lot. But he’s protective and he’s my friend. He’s more than just my brother.”

The two admit childhood included frequent bickering and even disagreements over who started what. One memory they still laugh about involves Ashley insisting Zane pushed her down the stairs as children. Zane smiled saying he doesn’t remember.

Zane commented, “We fought for no reason sometimes, but we’re very close.

As they’ve gotten older, that closeness has only strengthened. Ashley shared, “Never have we not been close. We’ve always been there for each other.”

Ashley said Zane has stood up for her since elementary school and has always been protective. In return, she helps him navigate life in her own way.

“Ashley gives me scouting reports on relationships,” Zane joked. Their nightly conversations have become one of Ashley’s favorite traditions.

Ashley reflected, “He comes to my room and we talk about things. Those are probably my favorite memories.”

Despite sharing similar music tastes, including enjoying music by Tyler Childers, the twins say their personalities are opposite in many ways.

Ashley described Zane as calm, introverted and easygoing. “Zane is very go-with-the-flow and doesn’t let a lot bother him,” she said.

Zane described Ashley as outgoing and ambitious. Zane remarked, “She gets me to talk to people more. She’s opportunistic and willing to jump into things.”

After graduation, both siblings will pursue different paths while carrying the support of their twin into the future.

Zane plans to attend Shawnee to play baseball while studying business management and completing an HVAC internship with his father. He said the opportunity felt right immediately. “It felt like home,” Zane said.

Ashley plans to attend Ohio University Southern to earn an associate degree in nursing with hopes of one day working in a neonatal intensive care unit. Eventually, she hopes to become a travel nurse.

Outside of school, Ashley has played softball since T-ball and has been on the varsity team since eighth grade, playing center field. She also enjoys sewing, making T-shirts and needlepoint, a hobby she learned during snow days from a teacher.

Zane enjoys playing video games, especially Minecraft.

As they begin separate futures after graduation, both twins have hopes for each other.

Ashley wishes her brother’s baseball career succeeds and that he builds a happy future.

Ashley stated, “I hope his college baseball career goes how he wants and that he gets a good job and family.”

Zane desires Ashley to pursue her dreams freely. Zane shared, “I hope she becomes a travel nurse and goes wherever she wants while she’s young. Maybe live in Florida, stay on the beach all day and tan.”

Perhaps Zane summed up the experience of being a twin best: “You don’t really think about breathing. It’s kind of like that for me being a twin. You forget about it until you think about it.”

Even as graduation leads them down different paths, the Ingram twins’ connection appears certain to remain unchanged.

For Boyd County High School twins Aubree and Baylee Moore, growing up together has meant sharing nearly every major milestone imaginable from classrooms, friend groups, awards, sports, hobbies and memories. It has also meant occasional arguments, silent competition and learning how to become individuals while still remaining inseparable.

With high school behind them, the sisters now face one of the biggest changes: attending different colleges for the first time.

For twins who once struggled to be in separate kindergarten classrooms, that change carries significance.

Still, neither believes distance will lessen the bond they have spent nearly 18 years building.

Growing up as a twin, they say, is difficult to explain to someone who has never experienced it.

Aubree reflected, “Growing up with a twin has been an absolute blessing. I have always had somebody by my side for every occasion. It’s like having a built-in best friend, and I wouldn’t have it any different.”

Baylee shared the same feeling. “Growing up as a twin has been a blessing that I would never be able to fully describe to someone who hasn’t had the same experience. We have a special type of bond that I have never seen in any other set of twins in my life,” Baylee affirmed.

The sisters admit twin life was not always perfect. Sharing clothes and toys often caused frustration. Arguments happened. Baylee remembered a “snitching phase” during childhood. There were moments of silent competition and periods when they drifted slightly while adjusting to new stages of life.

Even then, separation rarely lasted long. Baylee stated, “We were still inseparable. There is nothing that could ever happen to change that.”

One of Baylee’s earliest memories of their closeness happened in kindergarten.

“Aubree had to be moved into the same classroom as I did because we were unable to do anything without the other. I vividly remember playing on the see-saw every day during recess,” Baylee recalled.

Those childhood years laid the foundation for a relationship both sisters say has only strengthened with age.

Aubree shared, “I am extremely close with my twin. I would even say closer than most sets of twins.”

Looking beyond graduation, their appreciation for one another has grown. Aubree commented, “Our bond has gotten stronger, especially now that we have graduated and are aware we’ll have to separate for college. We’ve experienced events that made us appreciate each other rather than disregard one another.”

The realization that daily life together is changing has made them value ordinary moments more.

“We have come to realize we are incredibly blessed to have the opportunity of having a lifelong best friend. Neither of us wants to take that for granted,” reflected Aubree.

Though people often refer to them simply as “the twins,” Aubree and Baylee have built identities that are both remarkably similar and distinctly different.

Academically, both are highly motivated and driven. “We have always been motivated to reach our goals and never become lazy in doing so,” Aubree said.

The sisters have earned similar GPAs, shared academic awards and celebrated achievements side by side throughout school.

Athletically, both excel as well. Aubree will continue her soccer career in college, while Baylee will play volleyball at the collegiate level. Growing up, sports often created quiet competition between them.

“We used to play the same sport and constantly silently compete,” Baylee said.

Today, admiration has replaced competition. Aubree spoke proudly about Baylee’s volleyball ability:

“Baylee is the most amazing libero I have ever seen play. I don’t know how she does it, but she digs balls that I could never see any player get.”

She believes her sister’s success comes from years of hard work. Aubree continued, “I admire her athletic ability because she has worked so hard throughout the years to achieve the level of skill she has today.”

Baylee is equally complimentary of Aubree. Baylee shared, “Aubree is very outgoing and funny. She has such a contagious laugh. Her laugh makes something ten times funnier.”

Baylee also described Aubree as stubborn, though in a positive way. “It can be difficult sometimes, but ultimately it works out for her because she refuses to settle for less and always gets everything done,” Baylee said.

Aubree sees many qualities in Baylee that she hopes to emulate. “Baylee is truly one of the most driven people I know. She has high morals and truly hopes for the best circumstances for others.”

Faith is another trait Aubree admires in her sister. Aubree praised, “Baylee is dedicated to her faith. She has always strived to have a character more like Christ.”

Despite many similarities, the twins laugh at how opposite some interests can be.

Both enjoy reading, but Aubree gravitates toward romance and fiction while Baylee prefers fantasy novels.

Both play guitar, but Aubree enjoys electric guitar while Baylee favors acoustic. Baylee loves scrapbooking; Aubree does not. Aubree spends time in the gym whenever possible. And one difference draws immediate laughter. “She loves chemistry and I absolutely hate it,” Baylee said.

Outside school and sports, Aubree enjoys reading fiction books, playing guitar and exercising. Baylee’s hobbies include reading, guitar, pickleball and scrapbooking.

Their futures reflect those individual passions. After graduation, Aubree plans to attend the University of Rio Grande where she will compete on the women’s soccer team while pursuing a pre-med track. Her goal is to become a genetic physician.

Baylee plans to attend the University of Pikeville, majoring in biomedical sciences while continuing her volleyball career. Already accepted into the university’s Dental Scholars Program, she hopes to become a dentist.

Both sisters speak confidently about the other’s future success. Aubree hopes Baylee achieves every goal she has for herself. Aubree commented, “Baylee is very dedicated to her career choice and knows the type of lifestyle she wants. I know she can and will succeed.”

Baylee hopes Aubree finds happiness and never settles. “I want her to pursue her dreams and never settle for less than what she deserves. She is very smart and determined,” shared Baylee.

Even as they prepare for separate campuses, sports teams and career paths, neither imagines life without the other’s support. Baylee remarked, “Now we have grown into our own individuals and are capable of being independent, but our bond is probably tighter than ever.”

The sisters know they may no longer receive every award side by side or sit in the same classroom, but they believe the connection built over years of shared experiences will remain.

Although being known simply as “the twins” has occasionally felt frustrating, Baylee says she would not change it. “I’m so blessed that God gave us each other,” Baylee concluded.

For the Class of 2026, this graduating year may be remembered by classmates and teachers as the year of the twins. For the twins themselves, graduation is not a label or a statistic but a shared milestone marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

As they crossed the stage in cap and gown, each pair stood beside the only person who has witnessed every version of who they were and every step of who they are becoming. While their futures now lead toward different campuses, careers, and cities, the connection built over nearly two decades of shared life does not end at graduation.

For these twins, the next chapter begins individually – not entirely alone.