A set of quadruplets graduated on the same day from the same university, two decades after their birth made headlines in their home state of Maryland.
“It’ll be the culmination of four years of hard work and dedication—and it will signal the beginning of a new phase for the quads: the first time they'll go their separate ways,” the university said before their graduation.
Their parents, 52-year-old Scott and 49-year-old Deeann, said they’re proud.
“We got to walk with our children, sit behind them, and then walk out with them,” she explained. “Obviously we were very proud to see them graduate, but just incredibly happy for them as well. Scott started worrying about financing college for them long before they were born. We were fortunate that all kids received scholarships and grants.”
Elaborating on their birth, she said they were conceived via IVF, adding that it was a high-risk pregnancy.
“I was put on bed rest at 18 weeks and they were born at 31 and a half weeks,” she recalled.
“Fortunately they were very healthy, they just needed to stay in the NICU to grow,” the mother said. “They were so small when they were born and Hannah was in the NICU for a month since she was the tiniest. She was just 2 pounds 10 ounces. To see them graduate was very special.”
Hannah told the college website that having her siblings helped with her college life.
“We all found our individuality—we took different classes, got involved in various organizations, and hung out with different people,” she said. “Even now, as I am about to graduate, there are people on campus who don’t know I’m a quad!”
Jake also told the Mail: “We led different lives on campus but it was great to have that family connection the whole time too. In junior year, I moved out into a house with a couple of my friends.”
“'It was the first time I had ever really been away from my sisters, even though I still saw them practically every day. We keep in touch on a group text. Even when we’re at home we sometimes use that,” he recalled.
After graduation, Rachel said, “It will be a big change for all of us but I think the time is right. We’ve been together for 21 and a half years and it will be hard to be apart. It’s bittersweet but it’s also a really exciting time for all of us.”
“It’s going to be interesting but I'll probably be calling them every day,” said Lexi to the station. “But I’m excited to kind of experience being on my own.”
“I’m really excited,” noted Hannah. “It will be a cool experience. It will be brand new for me. I’ve never gone anywhere without them. I have no doubt in my mind we'll still be talking every day.”
“It’s going to be a tough transition to not even see them every day,” said Rachel. “It’s something I’ve become so accustomed to, but I’m grateful for what we’ve had.”
