From "double the love" to "double trouble," the nomenclature of describing twins gives a wink and a nod to the fun of raising multiples. In a few weeks, eight sets of multiples will join our YJ4L family as first-year students.
And while twins aren’t new to Baldwin Wallace, we offer a first look at some of the newest YJ4Ls joining our campus community.
Thirty-five years ago, Annmarie (Kidney) Heyse ’92 arrived on campus from Grafton, Ohio, with all the excitement that comes from being a first-year college student. In a few weeks, she’ll relive the joy as her three children begin a new school year at BW.
Miles '25, who is an aspiring filmmaker double majoring in management and innovation and film studies, will be starting his junior year as a Yellow Jacket student-athlete.
His siblings, fraternal twins Erin and Lauren '27, will be making their YJ4L entrance as part of Week of Welcome.
"I had great experiences at BW, and some of my best memories were made there. I love that all three of my kids are attending my alma mater. My son and I often compare stories about how the campus and student life have changed over the years," remarked Annmarie, who was a psychology major.
With their hometown of Middleburg Heights, Ohio, within a three-minute drive to campus, the Heyse students commute to BW. Both Erin and Lauren are looking forward to an exciting year of new experiences.
"She’s my best friend, so, of course, I’m happy that we get to stay together for a few more years," said Erin.
She may be the younger twin, but Medina, Ohio, resident Kaitlin Horner’s flair for self-expression is not only reflective of her BW majors but also of her exuberant energy.
As she puts the final touches on her college to-do list, the theatre acting & directing and communication sciences and disorders major is ready to make her mark in BW’s drama programs while her brother Matthew will be studying cybersecurity analyst.
"I am so excited to go to college with my brother! He and I finish each other’s thoughts all the time. We had a ‘secret’ language when we were younger. Our mom would ask me what Matthew wanted, and, to my honest confusion, I could translate. Apparently, no one else could understand him. We’ve lost this secret language since, but I still have weird memories of it," she recalled.
"The most common question we get asked is if we’re identical. Just so everyone knows, boy-girl twins can look alike but cannot be identical ... think about it. Yet, a lot of people argue with us on this point," she said with humorous candor.
Maddie and Nate Schweinberg may be packing parkas when they come to Northeast Ohio from Gilbert, Arizona, but one thing they’ll be sadly leaving behind is their triplet sister, Emily, who is studying in-state instead.
The athletic duo is making the 1,999-mile trek to campus via car to pursue sport management, cross country and track & field (Nate) and nursing and soccer (Maddie).
"I chose BW because I love the professors for my major and can continue my track and cross country career in college,” explained Nate. “Because Maddie and I are both athletes, it will be fun to watch each other compete at the college level."
Maddie agrees. "I think it will be cool to watch my brother develop during such an important time of our lives. I’m excited about the athletics and academics."
"In my first year of high school, our band played during halftime at a BW football game. It was the first time I had been to Berea or to BW," recalled Annmarie Heyse. "I was instantly taken in by the small city feel of Berea and the areas of campus I was able to see from the stadium. That feeling stayed with me long after we left. When it came time for me to decide on a college, I knew BW was the one.
"I was the first one in my family and extended family to go to college. I still remember the day my acceptance letter came in the mail," she went on to say. "I had that same euphoric feeling when my son received his letter and the twins received theirs.
"I know they will get a great education and make lots of great memories, just like I did. My son has flourished at BW, and I feel the twins will as well. BW was always a special place ... and still is. It will be really nice passing that legacy on to my kids," she said with pride.
