Twelve years ago, Mt. Lebanon Magazine introduced readers to six sets of first-grade twins at Markham Elementary. This June, those same students returned to their former school for the class of 2025’s Senior Send-Off, the largest across all elementary schools this year. Now, as they prepare for college and careers, they’ve reflected on what it meant to grow up as twins.

Payton and Riley Collins

Payton and Riley Collins, Mohawk Drive, have been teammates, classmates and built-in best friends.

“It’s definitely very special to have someone that’s always there just to go through everything with,” Payton said. “Not many people get to experience that … but it’s kind of our norm.”

The sisters played basketball together their whole lives — until now. Payton will continue playing at Bowdoin College in Maine while Riley heads to Wake Forest University in North Carolina. Both plan to major in biochemistry on the pre-med track.

“Going from seeing her all day, every day to going weeks or months without seeing her is going to be a huge lifestyle change,” Payton said. “But I think eventually it will help our relationship — just to be more independent and appreciate each other more when we are together.”

Adeline and Sabrina Cox

For Adeline and Sabrina Cox, Woodhaven Drive, growing up as twins required balance between constant companionship and the challenge of forging separate identities.

“It’s been good to always have someone there,” Sabrina said. “But at the same time, when you always have someone there, you don’t feel the need to branch out as much.”

They stayed connected through four years on the high school swim team and summers spent lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons.

Sabrina will attend Tulane University to study sustainable urbanism. Adeline is headed to Northeastern University to major in behavioral data science.

The twins said they were excited to return to Markham for the senior send-off, especially to see longtime mentor and former swim coach Kelsey Barringer, a teacher at the school.

Hannah and Ryan Donehue

Hannah and Ryan Donehue, Seneca Drive, started at different elementary schools, with Ryan at Hoover for a speech program. In second grade, he joined Hannah at Markham. They have grown and matured over the years.

“We support each other instead of rely on each other,” Hannah said. “We’re more independent now.”

Ryan agreed. “Because of that, we’ve grown a stronger relationship. I feel like we enjoy spending more time with each other now than we did, say, 10 years ago.”

Hannah will attend the University of South Carolina to study nursing. Ryan is headed to Butler University in Indiana to major in business technology and analytics.

Aubrey and Bailey Goldtrap

Aubrey and Bailey Goldtrap, Arrowood Drive, once shared a room but now have their own spaces, something Aubrey said was important to both of them. As their lives evolved, so did their relationship.

“I think as we got older, we also got closer,” she said.

Bailey is more outgoing, Aubrey said, and their social lives rarely overlapped. Still, their bond remains strong.

“I think being a twin will definitely still influence my life,” said Aubrey, who is headed to the University of Pittsburgh to study education.

Bailey will be attending West Virginia University to study psychology. “Even though we won’t be in the same state anymore, she is still my built-in best friend,” Aubrey said.

Mary and Matthew Langston

Mary and Matthew Langston, Ordale Boulevard, were inseparable in their early elementary years but found their own paths in high school. Mary played varsity softball all four years and will attend Virginia Tech to study business. Matthew focused on volunteer and social programs and is bound for Rollins College in Florida to study business with a minor in computer science.

When asked if he’s still drawn to finance, Matthew laughed. “I remember sitting with my mom and dad working on that form in first grade,” Matthew said. “My dad told me, ‘Write down money maker.’ I asked, ‘What’s that?’ and he said, ‘The people who make the money.’ It’s been a long-lasting joke in our family ever since. I haven’t really dived into finance, but maybe that’s my calling.”

Alexandra and Sophia London

Alexandra and Sophia London, Crescent Drive, have appreciated constant companionship, from walking into school together as kids to sharing overlapping social circles.

“It’s been honestly really nice to have a twin to go through everything with,” Alexandra said. “It made my Mt. Lebanon school career much more enjoyable.”

While they shared clubs like Global Studies and Camp Club, they explored separate interests. Alexandra spent a year abroad in Germany and enjoyed horseback riding and Sophia leaned into creative electives like fashion, art and graphic design.

After this summer, the sisters will go their separate ways — Sophia to the University of Pittsburgh and Alexandra to Virginia Tech.

“It will be sad not to see each other every day,” Alexandra said. “But I think it will be nice to have our own friends and not get mixed up all the time.”

Looking Back

Most of the twins returned to Markham for the send-off, walking through the same halls where they began their academic journeys.

“You get to see memories and positive moments and the teachers who had such an impact on your life,” Matthew Langston said. “It’s a way of saying thank you.”

Former Markham Principal Robert Freil once called the 2013 twin lineup an “anomaly.” More than a decade later, they’ve become a remarkable part of Mt. Lebanon’s story — proof that growing up side by side helps shape not only who you are, but who you become.