Sarah Brown
The New Era recently posted a photo on Facebook from one of its 1973 issues of four sets of twins attending Foster Elementary School that year. Well this year Hawthorne Elementary blew that number out of the water because they are educating nine sets of twins at their school, as seen in the photo far right. They are: Back row, from left: Kayden and Khloe Bruce (6th), Dakota and Brydan Follett (5th), Elijah and Josh Nading (3rd), Kinley and Olivia Olsen (3rd). Front row, from left: Lilliana and Marja Linder (K), Ellie and Aubrie Kauffman (1st), Autumn and Jocilyn Nading (1st), Abigail and Lydia Collingwood (1st). At right: Aubrey and Colby McDowell (3rd).
The other schools in the district also carry their own weight in twins, some identical, some fraternal. The high school could not be reached for a photo session with their sets.
While studies show varying numbers on how common twins are, reports are coming out that the birth of twins is becoming more frequent in recent decades. Explanations for this include access to fertility services, age (the older a woman is, the higher the chances of giving birth to twins) and genetics.