SOPHOMORES BREANNA AND JESSICA TERRY (h('( ktosee ifthe ir ma il went tothe (O"('(t boxes 0(1. 26. Jessica and Breanna I<lid many people treated them as one perso nbecause they were twins .• R.kECK PEOPLE - 90 Terry sisters tell tales of twin-hood It was not until Christmas 2003 when sophomores Breanna and Jessica Terry found out through a DNA test that instead of being fraternal twins as they always thought. they were, in fact, identical. Although they could be classified as "identical twins/' Jessica and Breanna said they have spent their lives trying to fight the twin stereotype. "It's funny how people treat us," Breanna said. "For example, people send us birthday presents, and it's like one shirt for the both of us. It's really funny." Coming to Harding was a big decision for both women, they said. "I just decided that I had to go," Breanna said. "It was like an epiphany from God." Three weeks before Breanna was scheduled to leave, Jessica too decided that Harding was the place for her. Jessica said it was important to her that she and her sister establish their own lives apart from each other at Harding. "It was really hard at first because I wanted to do my own thing," Jessica said. "I didn't want to be a 'twin' anymore." Since childhood the sisters proved their individuality by enjoying different activities, creating different friendships and moving in separate directions. Jessica said she loved to watch the Bisons play football, sing in the praise team and listen to Christian music. Jessica was home schooled her last three years of high school. On the other hand, Breanna was Spring Sing director for Delta Gamma Rho and liked underground musical groups like Yellow Card. Breeanna served as her high school's yearbook editor and was on the prom court. "We're really very different," Breanna said. "[ guess you can say that my sister is the sweet one, and I'm the blunt one." Jessica also saw the differences. "Breanna is more wild, passionate and unpredictable, and I'm more nurturing," Jessica said. Having to share everything, especially their identity, was what both women said they believed was the most difficult part of having a twin. "When I say that we have to share everything, I mean everything," Breanna said. "We share all the important steps and events in our lives, like birthdays, graduation and driving for the first time. As a twin you never get to have that moment to yourself." Although both Breanna and Jessica worked to keep their own identities and establish themselves as something more than just a "twin," both agreed that having a twin had special advantages. "She's my best friend, " Jessica said. "[ don't think anyone can understand what it is like to have someone going through the same things at the same time that you are your entire life. We are constantly experiencing life together. We really do complement each other; her strengths are my weaknesses, and my strengths are her weaknesses." - ERIN COOK
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