Having a sibling isn’t always easy. There’s fighting, bickering and the classic “I’m the favorite.” For triplets Megan, Lauren and Connor Ross, the experience is unique but just like any other sibling experience there is to offer.
“We fight a lot, it’s usually over the car we share. We always argue about who gets to take the car out and other stuff like that,” Connor said.
“Sharing is caring,” as they always say. Yet, sometimes sharing goes beyond just sharing a car.
“The worst and superficial part of being a triplet for me is having to share a birthday. It’s supposed to be your special day and when you’re a triplet, you share that special day with two other people. You also have to share the limelight at events like graduation as well. Kinda takes the fun out of it,” Megan said.
Multiples like the Ross’s are generally rare, but at Ladue Horton Watkins High School, they can be seen all throughout.
“Surprisingly there’s actually three sets of triplets in my grade including me and my sisters,” Connor said.
According to the New York Times, the likeliness of having twins is roughly one out of 250 births. The likeliness of having triplets drops even lower, an estimation of only 0.17% of US births are triplets.
“Most people are surprised when they find out because we don’t look alike at all. Then they ask what it’s like but I don’t ever have a great answer to that since we don’t really interact all that often, as strange as it sounds,” Lauren said.
However, being a triplet does has its perks. They can always turn to each other for assistance whether it be about school or life in general.
“At a lot of family reunions, we’ll hide in the basement together and complain about how uncomfortable we are. So we huddle together and avoid talking to family members,” Connor said.
In addition to awkward family reunions, school and classes is a common discussion topic, especially since it’s their last year at Ladue Horton Watkins High School.
“Having someone to complain to about a class you share, stressing over college applications, or even bragging rights for the most annoying sibling is reassuring,” Megan said.
Most siblings will have a healthy rivalry or competition, whether it be at home or inside the classroom. Monica Bowman, a science teacher at Ladue has taught all three Ross’s. Bowman taught Lauren AP Biology and Advanced Anatomy and Physiology last year, Megan from the Lexus Eco Challenge Team in recent years and Connor in AP Biology this year.
“There is a healthy and loving competition between the three of them when it comes to academics. All three look after each other but they are each clearly individuals with individual interests, hobbies, and social circles,” Bowman said.
Ultimately, these remarkable siblings have been through ups and downs, side by side. Only time will tell as to what mark the Ross’s will make on the world.
“Being a triplet isn’t really remarkable to someone who’s a triplet. It means you live with your classmates, share a birthday, brag about having a triplet and generally more competitive with each other about grades, sports, friends and the car. It’s pretty normal to me, but it’s always fun to see people’s reactions to us being triplets,” Megan said.
