Costa Rican family features two pairs of twins

In the middle of November, senior Danielle Berkowitz Sklar should have served a school detention because she had been late to several classes. But she escaped the punishment because the administration mistakenly sent the detention slip to her twin sister, Daviana, who ended up staying after school to serve the punishment.

“It was really funny because I actually deserved the detention, but ended up not having to go since Daviana went for me,” Danielle said.

Such episodes are common with the Berkowitz Sklar family, which is made up of senior fraternal twins Danielle and Daviana, sophomore fraternal twins of the opposite gender, Khiara and David, as well as  12-year-old  Julian, who attends Redwood Middle School.

“It’s definitely nice having so many siblings because we always have someone to trust,” Danielle said. “When we introduce ourselves as having two sets of twins in our family, it’s funny to see people’s mixed reactions.”

Danielle and Daviana, who happened to have the same schedule last year, ended up in some of the same classes this year as well. Though they originally thought being in the same class would be difficult as they spend so much time together outside of school, they ended up liking having each other in classes.

“Since we have the same teachers, it’s nice having someone to study with,” Danielle said. “With a twin by my side, I know I’m never alone.”

While Danielle and Daviana support each other and share many of the same interests, including leadership positions in the school and non-profit nature organizations, their relationship some have some competition.

“We’re supportive of each other in everything except for tennis,” Daviana said. “Tennis is definitely an exception as we both badly want to beat each other in singles.”

Since all three Berkowitz Sklar girls are close in age, they share all of their clothes in one closet. But for Danielle and Daviana, choosing outfits has been difficult. At times, they have in same outfit on, stare at each other and then decide to change. Since they were little, according to Daviana, both girls tried “to dress the exact opposite [of each other’s style].”

Having five kids who are so close in age is a difficult task for the Berkowitz Sklar parents, though they treasure having a close-knit family. While the Berkowitz Sklars have to send two kids to college at the same time, an expense uncommon for most families, they also minimize costs as pick-ups and drop-off take half the time.

“Having two sets of twins in the family means that even though there is double of everything, we always have a best friend to depend on,” Daviana said. “To see the different dynamics mesh together between siblings is cool.”

Though the youngest member of the Berkowitz family, Julian, doesn’t have a twin, his siblings agree that “his craziness and independent spirit” have carved a role for him.

“When we were little, we would tell Julian that he was the special one,” Danielle said. “I’m sure he sometimes feels left out of the twin thing, so we include him in almost everything we do.”

While Khiara is younger than her sisters, people confuse her as being part of a triplet with Daviana and Danielle since her facial features and hair color are similar to those of her older sisters. Since David is the only Berkowitz boy in high school with red hair, people often view him as an outsider.

“Whenever the four of us are together, everyone always thinks that my three sisters are triplets and that I’m a random ginger boy who tags along,” David said. “It’s definitely funny when I end up telling people that I’m Khiara’s twin.”

While family vacations are often packed with various activities to please everyone and the house is always chaotic, the Berkowitz family is valuing the little time they have to spend together before Danielle and Daviana go to college next fall.

Both are applying to similar colleges, though Daviana plans to major in biology or environmental sciences while Danielle is interested in public relations, but undecided. While there is a possibility that the two may end up in the same college, they would like to attend different schools in the same state to experience more independence.

“Since we have always spent a lot of time together, I know I’m going to miss Danielle next year,” Daviana said. “I always have a best friend with Danielle and someone I can trust and know will always have my back.”