Carroll Newsroom /

Many younger siblings of Carroll students desire to create their own individuality while having to navigate through sibling comparisons. When the Bartlett twins begin their high school careers this fall, they are already prepared to be compared to the “Bartlett twins”. 

Incoming freshmen Mikayla and Elyssa Bartlett ‘24 have been looking forward to starting their journeys as Patriots, especially after seeing their identical twin sisters, Victoria and Olivia ‘20, and brother, Nathan ‘23, enjoy their time at Carroll. In their excitement, Mikayla and Elyssa, also identical twins, are already preparing to tackle any confusion that may happen the first few days of school, as it has happened throughout their lives. “Elyssa and I are taller than Olivia and Victoria, so people often think we’re the older set of twins,” states Mikayla.  “People also think that Elyssa, Nathan, and I are triplets… because we all look alike.”  

Along with the twin confusion, both sets of Bartlett twins are used to receiving often strange questions from peers who have not experienced life with a twin. Olivia, for example, has fielded questions regarding whether or not she can telepathically communicate with her twin, Victoria. Both sets of twins have answered their share of unique questions. “I know people are just curious about twins,” said Mikayla. “It’s funny sometimes, interesting to hear what people have to say.”

“I love having an older set of twin sisters.  They’re my role models, and I want to be like them when I grow up.”

-Mikayla Bartlett '24

For their older sisters, it took some time to get used to the new twins in the family. “They took all the attention away from us, recalls Olivia. “They were the new, younger grandchildren.  Everyone else had thoughts like, ‘A second set of twins? That’s fascinating!’  But it’s been a really good time growing up with them.  Us five siblings are really close, and they obviously understand the twin thing, the twin bond.”  

Mikayla and Elyssa feel fortunate to have older sisters who have shared those same experiences. “I love having an older set of twin sisters,” Mikayla said, “They’re my role models, and I want to be like them when I grow up.”

Having graduated this past spring, Victoria and Olivia are ready to start their college careers at Wright State University. Though they ended up choosing the same university, they are pursuing different majors, as Olivia plans on studying chemistry and environmental sciences and Victoria is majoring in Spanish education. Both are looking forward to college and anticipating some adjustments, as this will be the first time taking different courses than their twin. “We’ve lived our lives with a built-in best friend,” Victoria says, “We’re not going to be able to share...all the same experiences.” 

Though they are headed down different courses of study this fall, Olivia and Victoria agree that their younger sisters are going to enjoy their time at Carroll, both in and out of the classroom. And, having witnessed their sisters’ love of Carroll school spirit, especially at football games, House events, and Catholic Schools Week activities, Elyssa and Mikayla are ready to join the Patriot family and carry on their older siblings’ legacy. “(Olivia and Victoria) are known for being nice to everyone, and I want to continue that,” says Mikayla. “(They) were always referred to as The Bartlett Twins, so I’m excited to be that now.