Growing up with a twin by your side has its pros and cons. Though most people see the benefits, only a twin can understand the downside.
Twins always want to be their own individual person, which is always hard when you’re seen as a pair from birth. We would always correct people immediately when they would get our names wrong or confuse us because we have always believed that we are our own person, even if the world sees us as the same.
However, there have been many instances throughout our life where being a twin was a plus. For example, going to high school in a predominantly white neighborhood. Being a twin helped us deal with the many challenges since we were having the same experiences. High school was definitely tough. But having each other’s back is what led us to attending an HBCU.
How it Happened
During our senior year of high school, we were in an organization called AVID. Its goal was to prepare students for college. Towards the end of the school year, we had to complete an end-of-term project – painting the logo of the college that interested us. Everyone around us painted a few of the largest universities in Texas. But we had no interest in any of those schools around us. We knew it would be more of the same. We were ready for a different experience. So we did some research on HBCUs around Texas, and Prairie View A&M was the one that stood out to us. So we booked a campus tour and immediately knew that was where we wanted to attend college. Having the support of each other through that season paid off.
Rough Roads Ahead
Our family moved from New Jersey to Texas when we were just three years old. Our family in Jersey is extra large on both sides, and it was difficult missing out on all the family gatherings and celebrations. Again, together, we leaned on each other to manage the struggle of missing our extended family.
During our sophomore year, our immediate family decided to make the tough decision of moving back to New Jersey, leaving the two of us in Texas to finish our education. We were again on our own with no family near to drop by. We had to rely on communicating through the phone and only seeing each other on select holidays. After two and a half long years, we are happy to finally be able to go back home and be with our entire family again. Family means a lot to us.
The PVAMU Experience
Going through our college experience together has given us the confidence to strive for success and has led us down a path we are both proud of. We have participated in many on campus organizations, such as the Haus of Vision, PALS, BSSP, and Panther Aids. These organizations have allowed us to become the leaders we are today.
Not only did PVAMU give us a great college experience, but it also opened the door for us to live out one of our greatest dreams: to walk in a Gucci fashion show. Upon leaving PVAMU, we know this is only the beginning of many more life successes.
We want to thank our lifelong friends we have met along the way and, most importantly, our family and parents for helping us push till the very end. After all, this is only the beginning.
Signing out. PV…U Know!
Devin and Justin Previlon will graduate from Prairie View A&M University this fall with Bachelor of Business Administration Degrees in Management. Click here to view a complete listing of this semester’s notable graduates.
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