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WASHBURN, N.D. (AP) — It would only be a slight exaggeration to change Washburn's name to Twinsburg on the day that the class of 2015 graduates.
This year's senior class numbers 18 students, the Minot Daily News (http://bit.ly/1PmYUoT ) reported. That includes four sets of twins: Drew and Alyssa Sims; Tanner and Tyler Due; Parker and Patrick Pochant; and Heidi and Holly Scheetz, making up almost half of the class. There used to be five sets of twins in the class, the seniors said, but one set of twins moved away.
The Due brothers are identical twins, while the three other sets of twins in the class are fraternal, making it unlikely that their teachers will have had a hard time telling all the twins apart.
One class member suggests that the twins' teacher should seat one identical twin on one side of the classroom and the other twin on another side, making it easier to remember who is who.
The class has always been so small that the students have always been in one classroom. Most of the class has been together since their earliest years in school, though the Scheetz sisters moved to Washburn from Beulah in elementary school.
The high number of twins in their class has given the class some notoriety over the years. When they were in elementary school, the four sets of twins were interviewed by another newspaper reporter.
And why do they think there are so many twins in their class? "It's in the water," they said, obviously used to the oft-asked question.
Drew Sims said they're so used to the configuration of their class that they don't even think about it anymore.
As in many small schools, prom dates often came from other classes or from neighboring schools, they said.
Their college plans will take the students all over the state after graduation on May 24. They're already counting down to the last day of school, and then to graduation, when the slideshow will display pictures of all of the twins.
Patrick Pochant will graduate as the class valedictorian, while Tanner and Tyler Due, Parker Pochant and Heidi Scheetz will all graduate as honor students.
Alyssa Sims said she plans to attend Minot State University in the fall and would like to become a teacher. Her brother, Drew, isn't sure what he wants to do yet.
"Say you're undecided," prompted Alyssa Sims.
Both of the Pochants plan to attend North Dakota State University in Fargo, but Parker wants to major in nursing, and Patrick Pochant is interested in pursuing an engineering degree.
Heidi Scheetz plans to attend North Dakota State University and major in natural resources. Her twin, Holly, will be attending a special program at Minot State University in the fall.
Tyler Due is interested in pursuing a career in education at Bismarck State College, where his twin, Tanner, also plans to attend this fall.
None of the twins, even those attending the same college, want to live together. Eighteen years is long enough to room with a twin, they agreed.
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Information from: Minot Daily News, http://www.minotdailynews.com
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