Tyanna Nickles’ sisters pose for a “Sister Picture.” Destiny, eight, and Trisha, 7, are two of Nickles’ three sisters. Photo contributed by: Tyanna Nickles
By Emory Smith
Siblings are part of life for Plymouth High School Students. The relationships built between siblings may be strong or fragile.
Students who have only younger siblings have particular relationships. Freshman Yohoni Torres, who has two younger brothers and one younger sister, said, “I mean like many people we have our ups and downs, but overall we have a strong loving relationship. [I am close to my siblings] a little because they trust me with so much, but I don’t trust them at all. Plus, we don’t spend much time together since we all have different likes.” From his younger siblings, Torres has learned that “you are never to old to have a blast.” Senior Cassi Quissell, who has one younger sister, said, “We have our fights, but we are pretty close! We can talk to each other about stuff. She is also my biggest fan, as I am hers.” Sophomore Adrianna Lowry, who has two younger sisters, said, “We are all pretty close, all of us get along really well and rarely fight. They watch my example very closely, so I try to provide them with a good example so they learn well.” Similarly, Freshman Emma Daniels, who has three younger brothers and one younger sister, said, “I have a very loving and caring relationship with them. Me being the oldest they know I’d do anything for them. [I am close to my siblings] because I am the oldest and my parents aren’t always around so I have to be.” On the other hand, Sophomore Felicia Dixon, who has one younger brother, said, “We are like Poseidon and Zeus at each others neck constantly. We are constantly arguing with each other.” Oldest children have a unique perspective on what it means to be a sibling.
On the other end of the spectrum are the youngest children. Youngest child, Sophomore Mitchell Bachtel, who has two older brothers and one older sister, said, “I love all of them and I trust them all with my life.” Sophomore Michael Johnson, who has a twin sister and an older brother, said, “I would describe [our relationship] as hard love, we pick on each other a lot. For the most part I would say that we are close. Katie and I usually goof around while we’re at home. Ryan and I play tennis on the weekend.” Senior Kennedy Schnieders would describe his relationship with his older sister as “love-hate.” He said, “We have our moments when we get along well, and the others where nothing seems to make the other person happy. I think that as we have gotten older my sister and I have gotten much closer. Maturity and a sense of responsibility are what mainly play into sibling relationship. I think this is partially due to an increased awareness for the well being of the other and what you should and should not do around them.” Youngest siblings perceive kinship differently.
Sophomore Felicia Dixon and her brother, Tristen Dixon, are ready for Easter festivities. They are close in age, 16 months apart, but Felicia Dixon would not describe their relationship as particularly close. Photo contributed by: Felicia Dixon.
Then, there are those who are in the middle. Senior Jason Doody, who has two older and two younger sisters, said, “My relationship with my two older sisters is great just because we don’t live together. With my two younger sisters it okay most of the time but sometimes we yell at each other.” Junior Adrianna Enders said, “[My relationship with my siblings is] okay. I don’t talk to my brother and my older sister I don’t talk to her much. I live with my younger sister. And I have a pretty good relationship with the other girls. I hang out with my little sister all the time. There are times when we are together and talking to someone or explaining something we say sentences together at the same time.” Freshman Leora Games said, “We’ve had ups and downs but we get along really well. I can honestly tell my siblings anything and everything.”
Depending on the age of their siblings, students at PHS interact with them during school. Freshman Kiley Butler said, “Last year me and my brother Jake went to the same school but we didn’t really talk he just stuck up for me when I needed it.” Doody said, “One sister goes to PHS. She is in 10th grade. I don’t see her at school but we ride the bus together.” Quissell said, “I bring her to school everyday. We always say hi to each other.” Dixon said, “He goes to the Junior High but I have to ride the bus with him to and from school. If we sit far away from each other it is fine.” Sophomore Gabriel Bastardo said, “My brother CC goes to PHS with me and it’s actually a big plus. Because he is fun to be around in school. It’s a pretty cool high school experience.” Schnieders said, “While my sister was in high school I did not have many interactions with her. We said “hello” in the hallways and continued on with our days.”
Though siblings may not share the same school experiences, extracurricular activities, hobbies, and sports are activities that they may have in common. Sophomore Cole Holiday, Games, Torres, and Freshman John Lara play video games with their siblings. Others frolic outside or on competition fields. Freshman Tyanna Nickles said, “Usually, we just play football, baseball, or do cheerleading stunts.” Along the same lines, Butler said, “I watch movies and go ding dong ditching with them and play baseball and football.” Schnieders said, “My sister and I frequently play Frisbee or Monopoly. Simple activities usually help us grow closer or repair what I managed to ruin at times.” Along with outside activities, Daniels said that she and her siblings “watch movies, cook, clean, and a lot of regular activities around the house.”
These activities may relate to shared interests, but not always. Dixon said, “We both enjoy music. He does band and I’m in choir. But we have different tastes in music. We both like the Percy Jackson series and the Heroes of Olympus series.” Lowry said, “We all love the beach so we love surfing and boogie boarding together.” Bastardo said, “CC and I both have a strong passion for football. It’s a big sport in our life.”
Life with siblings teaches one various lessons. Freshman Aliyah Bertrand said his siblings have taught him “to have fun no matter how old you are.” Games has learned “not to say something that isn’t true [because] it could ruin your relationship with them.” Nickles said, “I’ve learned to never give up no matter what the situation is, and always keep your head up, and don’t let people bring you down.” Dixon said, “That it is best to keep your mouth shut to avoid arguments.” Bastardo said, “I learned to stand up for myself, and defend myself.” Lowry has become aware of the fact that “you don’t need friends to make you happy.” Brothers and sisters may enlighten or aggravate PHS students at times, but all of them are family.