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Brevard College, Brevard, N.C.
Volume 55 Number 9
Wednesday, March 2,1988
While many people tend to think
of college as a time of in
dependence and freedom, nine
brother-sister duos find that attending
Brevard together can strenghten the fami
ly tie, and still allow for independence.
Matt and Mia Clark of Orange Park,
Fla. are one such brother-sister pair at
Brevard. The closeness between Matt and
Mia, is fact, became unhealthy at one
point, they say.
Matt explained that as toddlers, he and
Mia were always together. “We were best
buddies,” Matt said.
Mia grinned. “I would always call him
‘Ma-oo’, and he’d call me ‘Ee-a’,” she
said.
Matt continued, saying that one day
their pediatrician advised Matt and Mia’s
mother to separate the two, who were then
age five. The pediatrician warned that
Matt and Mia’s extreme closeness was
unhealthy, and they would become in
separable later on. Mrs. Clark separated
the two. Mia grew closer to an older
brother, John, while Matt delved into his
academics.
However, Matt and Mia regained their
closeness upon coming to Brevard. Said
Mia, “I think it would have been much
worse if Matt weren’t here. During the
‘Freshman experience’ he lent such a big
hand. I was so lonely and missed home ter
ribly. Matt was the only one I knew I could
talk to who would understand exactly how
I felt.” She paused a moment. “And since
we’ve been here, he’s really taken care of
me. He would always know when
something’s wrong. At times, he’d even
come looking for me,” Mia said.
Matt feels just as positive about Mia.
“By having Mia here, it’s been pretty
cool,” Matt said. “It was great to come to
Brevard, and already be close and
familiar with someone. Mia especially
helped when I needed someone to talk per
sonal with.”
Sisters Tina and Julie Litter of
Altamonte Springs, Fla. also became close
after coming to Brevard. Tina said that in
high school, she and Julie would go places
together. But it wasn’t until Tina’s first
year at Brevard that they grew close.
Tina said, “We would talk on the phone a
lot, and give each other advice and sup
port. This drew us closer.”
But when Julie entered Brevard this
year, Tina felt that having Julie on campus
might become uncomfortable. “I thought
I’d have to show Julie everywhere,
everything, and that it would be a drag,”
Tina said. “But after a little while, the feel
ing wore off. I actually felt good showing
Julie around. And now. I’m really proud of
her.”
Don and Jennifer Rett of Tallahassee,
Fla., lead a slightly different relationship.
“We barely see each other,” Jennifer
said. “But it’s good to know that if I needed
someone, he’s right around.”
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Some of the sibling duos at BC. From top to bottom, left to right:
Bobby and Chris Liga. Tina and Julie Litter, Matt and Mia Clark,
Jennifer and Don Rett, the sister-less John Hoback, Greg and Renee
Douglas, and Todd and Amy Dowdle. (Bidr Orrell photo)
Families R Us
Siblings at Brevard College
by Heather Conrad
“Yeah,” Don adds. “It’s good to be near
Jen, so I can keep my eye on her.”
Don and Jennifer Rett both continued to
say that since they’ve been at Brevard,
they really haven’t “rubljed edges” as
much.
However, college cannot change the
ultimate make-up of the sibling relation
ship. Drawbacks will persist.
Jennifer Rett said,“Don and I still fight.
We are both very bullheaded, and lead dif
ferent lifestyles. It is inevitable that we
will fight.”
Matt Clark grins. “It’s hard to do here,
but I’ll try to dodge Mia if I owe her
money,” he said.
Julie Litter said, “I was afraid that since
Tina had always done so well at Brevard,
and made PTK, my parents would expect
me to do just as well. But they didn’t put
that kind of pressure on me, which was a
relief.”
Despite the drawbacks, the campus sibl
ings found many positive aspects in each
other, aspects that weren’t realized until
recently.
Tina says of Julie: “There are just some
things that even your best friend can’t help
with. Julie helps with these things, and
without question. She’s a good listener,
and comforts me, just when I need it. Her
support means so much to me.”
“Tina is very dependable, and is so fun
to be around,” says Julie. “I know that if I
have a problem, she’s the first person I’ll
go to.”
Don Rett admires his sister’s determina
tion. “Jen is very p>ersistent. If she sets out
to get something done, she’ll do it, and do it
her way,” Don said.
“Don has become a strong figure in my
life,” Jennifer says. “When Dad wasn’t
there any more, Don took his place....he
always knew what was best for me. Don
was genuinely strong and caring. In a
roundabout way, Don’s become sort of a
hero for me.”
When it comes to Mia, Matt admires her
down-to-earth attitude. “Mia’s honest, just
outright blunt at times. She’ll k>e real with
you,” Matt laughs. “She’s a great fashion
advisor, too. She’s the one I ask about
clothes,” he said.
As for Matt, Mia is appreciative of the
help he lends her with academics. But
more so, Mia is especially thankful for
what her parents have done in sending
Matt and her to Brevard. Says Mia, “Col
lege has really opened my eyes. My
parents sacrificed so much for Matt and
me, and have given so much to us. I feel
it’s our turn to sacrifice for them.”
There are six other brother-sister duos
on campus; including: Greg and Renee
Douglas of Peoria, 111., Amy and Todd
Dowdle of Madison, N.C., Eric and Mellin-
da Hansen of Summerville, S.C., John and
Stephanie Hoback of Greensboro,
Christine and Robert Liga of Stanhope.
N.J., and Michelle and Robert Wright of
Miami, Fla
SIDE BY SIDE Pumphrey and Byers talk about their art Page 4-!