Revere twins plan different futures, will miss spending time together

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 18:24:02 GMT

By Sam Igleheart, Joanna Kamvouris, and Irene Huda

Photo Courtesy of Laura Bettinger
The twins spend time together.

Amy and DJ Bettinger D.J. and Amy Bettinger have been in the Revere District since kindergarten. Amy is going to North Park University in Chicago, and D.J. is going to Indiana Wesleyan University. D.J. noted that he has always supported his sister and Amy has always done the same for him. Amy described what she is going to miss about not being with D.J. all the time. "I will miss talking to him and going to his basketball games to cheer him on," Amy said. D.J. exemplified the ways in which having a twin throughout high school is beneficial to him. "It’s good when you forget a book or homework or stuff like that," D.J. said. Amy explained how her parents feel about D.J. and Amy going to separate colleges. "They have taught us that you should go away for college and learn to do things on your own so I think they are happy that we are both going out of state," Amy said. Along with basketball, D.J. is involved with his church. D.J. noted that Amy has always been very supportive of him. Amy and D.J. have a unique relationship. "We both have the same type of humor and [there are] times when nobody gets us except each other," Amy said. Amy and D.J. will miss one another next year but anticipate the new opportunities that lie ahead Ali and Tara Littman Tara and Ali Littman have attended school in the Revere district since third grade. This coming fall, Ali and Tara are going to different colleges. Ali is going to Miami University and Tara is going to Ohio University. "[We are going to miss] seeing each other every day. It will be an adjustment," Ali said. Tara elaborated on how having a twin throughout high school can be beneficial and also difficult. "Having a twin throughout high school is beneficial because we had some of the same classes, so we helped each other with the school work. It’s a challenge because we both know what each other do every day which could cause fights," Tara said. Ali and Tara are both Student Ambassadors at Revere and both play sports. Ali has played tennis all four years of high school and ran track for two years in high school. Tara has ran track for four years and played soccer throughout all four years of high school. "I attended a good majority of her soccer games and track meets throughout high school," Ali said. Although Tara and Ali will miss each other next year, they are prepared to experience life without always being together and will try their best to maintain a close relationship. Tony and Lucas Wolfarth After learning and adapting to one another’s differences throughout their lives, Tony and Lucas Wolfarth will take separate paths next year and pursue their own careers. Tony plans to work full time at CJ Zac Company Incorporated in Richfield. Lucas currently works at Dugout Pub and Grill, and he will enlist in the Navy. He has also considered joining the Marines after his service in the Navy. Tony is a member of the CVCC (Cuyahoga Valley Career Center) construction program. Tony acknowledged that he and Lucas are very different. "Besides the fact that we look alike, we hardly have anything in common. [Lucas] likes rap music, and I like country music," Tony said. Despite their differences, the twins share common interests. "We both work, we like to run our trucks through the mud at Yankee Lake in Brookfield, Ohio. We go out there about twice a month with all of our buddies. We have a lot of the same friends," Lucas said. Lucas noted that next year without his brother by his side will be a challenge. "Knowing that he won’t be there if I need him or if he needs me will be hard next year. We’ll still stay in contact and help each other out," Lucas said. Although they will take different paths, the twins will remember the good times that they spent together and plan to keep in touch. Lisa and Adam Nelson Lisa and Adam Nelson have been in the Revere school district for most of their lives. While Lisa attended Revere from kindergarten to twelfth grade, Adam spent fourth through eighth grade at Miller South School for the Visual & Performing Arts. Despite their close bond with one another, they have chosen to attend different colleges next fall. Lisa is going to The Ohio State University while Adam will attend Savannah College of Art and Design.. "For the most part, Lisa and I [have] different interests. I’m really into filmmaking and theater-anything creative and expressive. Lisa is more reserved and studious," Adam said. Throughout high school, the twins were active in the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO), a Jewish youth group. "Before high school, we did not have the same friends or hobbies because we went to different schools, but when we joined BBYO and went to high school, everything completely changed. Now our interests have become very similar," Lisa said. Adam and Lisa will have an opportunity they have not had since eighth grade. "There is not much privacy in my life now since he knows almost everything about me. I know things will be very different between us next year since he will not know every single detail of my life," Lisa said. These twins have formed a friendship with one another that they will maintain in college. David and Alyce Hilliard After living and going to school together for nearly eighteen years, David and Alyce Hilliard will go their separate ways. The twins plan to commute to college, so they will still live together next year. David will attend Cuyahoga Community College while Alyce is going to Stautzenberger College in Brecksville. David explained how being a twin has its benefits along with its challenges. "It is beneficial in the fact that we can help each other study and do homework together. But with that, I am expected to get the same grades as her, but my procrastination gets in the way of that," David said. Although David and Alyce are twins, the two possess opposite characteristics. "She stresses about school, and I’m more laid-back; she is more athletic, and I would rather spend my nights playing video games. But she and I are similar in the fact that we both pick on each other and know how to drive the other up the wall," David said. David believes he and his sister have a good relationship. "We aren’t exactly buddy-buddy, but we get along when we feel like it. I tend to joke around with her a lot, and sometimes she takes the jokes, sometimes she doesn’t," David said. If there is one thing David will miss the most, it is always having somebody around. "She is always willing to do stuff with me…and just like any family member, I would miss having someone to talk to," David said. David and Alyce will miss each other after being away for long periods of time. Although David and Alyce will still live at home next year, they will face a large adjustment since they plan to attend different schools. Marc and Ryan Wonders From playing basketball to spending nights studying together for AP tests, Marc and Ryan Wonders have supported one another their whole lives. Marc participates in ecology club, international club and played on the boys’ basketball team. Ryan plays basketball, baseball and participates in ecology club with Marc. Ryan will attend The Ohio State University in the fall and Marc will attend Washington and Lee University. "Our colleges are probably about 4-5 hours apart. It’ll be different being away from Ryan. The best part about having a twin is that you always have somebody you know wherever you are," Marc said. The Wonders twins understand that having a twin isn’t always easy, but Ryan acknowledged that they appreciate each other’s company. "I’m going to miss having [Marc] around. I think we take it for granted now, but it is nice to have somebody around that you can always turn to who is a brother," Ryan said. Ryan recognized how Marc has made an impact on his life during their time together in high school. "It is beneficial to have a really smart brother for help with classwork, help with carpooling, having somebody who knows similar friends," Ryan said. Although the Wonders brothers are going to different colleges next year, they will take with them the memories they have shared during their lives together.

The Lantern

Revere twins plan different futures, will miss spending time together