CABOT — While it might not be considered unusual for one or two sets of twins, or even one set of triplets, to be found in a school district, officials at the Cabot Public Schools admit their situation is a little unusual — six sets of twins and one set of triplets will be among those receiving diplomas this year from Cabot High School.
“We’ve had several sets of multiples graduate in the past, but no one can recall this many graduating at the same time,” said Liz Massey, director of communications for the Cabot Public Schools. “It’s extremely exciting to have six sets of twins and one set of triplets in the class of 2016. We wish each and every one of them, and all of our graduates, a lifetime of success.”
The following is a brief look at the triplets and twins who will graduate Friday at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock.
Triplets
• Alexis, Clark and Lewis Faupel, 18, are the children of Ron and Bonnie Faupel. The students have attended Cabot schools since they were in kindergarten.
Alexis is a member of the Ecology Club, the sports-medicine program and the Spanish Honor Society. She plans to attend the University of Central Arkansas in Conway this fall and major in occupational therapy.
Clark is a member of the Ecology Club and the Technology Student Association. He has taken four classes in engineering and is a completer in the engineering program as defined by the Arkansas Department of Career and Technical Education. He plans to attend the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and major in engineering, maybe biomedical engineering.
Lewis is a member of the Ecology Club and the Book Club and is a library aide. He plans to attend UCA and major in graphic design.
Twins
• Chris and Lauren Daniel, 18, are the children of Patrick and Laura Wardlow. Chris and Lauren moved into the Cabot School District as sophomores.
Chris was a member of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America and is a member of the Cabot High School swim team. He is a completer in medical-professions education.
Chris will miss Friday’s graduation ceremony, as he is now a sailing assistant for a blind Vietnam veteran who is sailing from the Florida Keys to Cuba, Mexico and on to Guatemala. Chris has joined the Air Force and will take his basic training later this summer, probably at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
Lauren attended Cabot’s Academic Center of Excellence this year to make up some credits she lost during her junior year, which she spent in Germany as part of Rotary International’s Youth Exchange Program, sponsored locally by the Cabot Rotary Club.
She was a member of the National Honor Society as a sophomore and is a member of the German National Honor Society. Lauren plans to attend the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and major in business.
• Emily and Peyton Dey, 18, are the children of Ron and Keri Dey. Emily and Peyton enrolled in Cabot schools as kindergartners but attended other schools for two years.
Emily is in medical-professions classes and is a member of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America and the National Technology Society. She plans to attend UCA and study dentistry.
Peyton is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, Jobs for Arkansas’ Graduates (JAG) and SkillsUSA-engineering. He plans to attend UCA and study cost management.
• Ezekiel and Mitchell Duncan, 18, are the sons of Charlotte Duncan of Cabot and Shane Duncan of Bryant. Ezekiel and Mitchell have attended Cabot schools since they were in kindergarten.
Mitchell is a completer in the engineering program. He plans to attend Arkansas State University-Beebe and study engineering.
Ezekiel is a completer in both the construction and engineering programs. He also plans to attend ASU-Beebe and study engineering.
• Amelia and Heidi Mackey, 18, are the daughters of Dawn and Jason Reynolds. The girls enrolled in Cabot schools when they were in the sixth grade.
Amelia is in journalism, theater and speech and is a member of the Key Club. She plans to attend the U of A and major in nursing.
Heidi is involved in theater and has been on the newspaper and yearbook staffs. She plans to attend UCA and major in education, hoping to work with children with disabilities.
• Caleb and Cameron Smith, 18, are the sons of Leroy and Janette Smith. Caleb and Cameron have attended Cabot schools since kindergarten.
Cameron was in band, played football and was on the swim team. He was in the SideKicks Club, which helps students in the elementary schools. He plans to attend the Arkansas Career Training Institute in Hot Springs (formerly known as the Hot Springs Rehabilitation Center) and study graphic design or medicine.
Caleb was on the swim team. He also plans to attend the Arkansas Career Training Institute and study graphic design or coding.
Caleb and Cameron were born prematurely, at 24 weeks’ gestation with developmental disabilities. Caleb weighed 1 pound, 3 ounces, and Cameron weighed 1 pound, 4 ounces. They attended preschool at Arkansas Easter Seals, and both have participated in the Arkansas Angels Pageant for special-needs children.
• Parker and Payton Steadman, 18, are the daughters of Mike and Robin Steadman. Parker and Payton have attended Cabot schools since they were in kindergarten.
Parker plays softball, is a member of the National Honor Society and has taken medical-professions classes. She plans to attend UCA and study physical therapy.
Payton is a member of the bowling team and has taken medical-professions classes. She plans to attend Arkansas Tech University in Russellville and major in nursing.