Courtesy of Sachin Sankar

Can you tell which twin is which?

Being a twin often means you will forever have an unparalleled connection with a built-in best friend.  After all, you grew up at the same pace and place and shared many of the same milestones and memories. 

This year, the senior class has four pairs of these besties: Maslin and Pierre Bossaert, Peter and Sophia Farone, Kaden and Mindi Hendley and Nitin and Sachin Sankar.

“Being a twin is kind of unique, because it’s like being assigned a best friend at birth,” Pierre said. “No matter where I go, whatever school I go to, I’ll always have them.”

Pierre and his fraternal twin Maslin came to the school the summer before senior year from their previous school in Aptos. Because they don’t look much alike, not many classmates have guessed that they are twins.

Switching schools so late in high school, when everyone has already known each other for so long, was challenging, but Pierre said he is glad to have his twin with him — being close to someone he already knows helped him feel less alone and made his adjustment easier.

Peter and Sophia described their connection as having always been special.

“I’ve never not wished I was a twin. I’m honestly sad that other people are not twins,” Sophia said.

As a fraternal twin to brother Peter, Sophia said she is happy to have avoided the comparisons that come with identical twins. Having a brother, she says, gives her a whole new perspective. He knows the boys of the grade and she knows the girls, so they both get to meet a lot more new people.

While Sophia believes herself to be more passionate and Peter to be more laid-back; the strong, outgoing personalities of both twins work well together. The two of them always get along, gravitating toward the same hobbies. Both twins never hesitate to help the other out, whether that manifests in playing passing drills to practice lacrosse or helping out with a school project.

“I can’t imagine not having someone also going through the same life experiences as you at the same time,” Sophia said.

Mindi and Kaden are fraternal twins as well, but they haven’t gravitated toward the same interests in the way Sophia and Peter did. Mindi considers herself to be much more extroverted and attends more school events, while Kaden prefers hanging out with a smaller friend group.

General depictions of twins in pop culture have pushed this narrative of them often being in the same circles and having the same interests, which was a misconception Mindi and Kaden disproved, since they have distinct personalities and interests. 

Compared to their older brother Mason (Class of ‘24), Mindi hasn’t found that her relationship with her twin has been any different than just having another sibling.

The last set of twins is the only identical pair — Sachin and Nitin. The two looked more alike when they were younger, but have developed their own unique features as they’ve grown older.

“Because we’re identical, it’s almost like a reflection of myself in him. We’re pretty similar people,” Nitin said.

Taking advantage of their physical similarities, Sachin and Nitin swapped outfits for the school day during Halloween last year. Sachin wore glasses, they both shaved their mustaches and they switched socks. Since they had the same Blue Day schedule, they even managed to fool some of their friends and teachers.

Most of the twins will be attending different colleges after this summer, their first time being apart in this way. 

“I think we’re always shaped by being brothers, which has been a thing our entire lives,” Maslin said. “I think it will be weird, the first we’re being separated, but I’m sure we’re always going to keep in touch and have a strong bond.”

For Kaden, because he and Mindi are not super close, he thinks being apart for college will actually help them get closer.

“We don’t spend as much together now since we’re always together, so it feels normal. But, once we leave, I think our bond will be stronger when we see each other again,” Kaden said.

Sophia, who has committed to go to USC, said she purposely chose not to go to the same college as Peter, so she can create her own experience. However, this doesn’t mean she is going to forget about him, as she is excited to hear what kind of stories he will bring back from his experiences.

“We obviously won’t be able to see each other as much, but we will still be closer than regular friends, because we had a common home life,” Sophia said.

Sachin is excited as well for a new chance to be known as himself at UC Santa Barbara, where he is committed, and not as Nitin’s twin (Nitin is going to UC San Diego).

“I’m stressed because it’s going to be different without him, and I’ll probably be a little bit sad, but it’s also exciting to have a new experience and be away from him for some time,” Sachin said.