Spain Park’s trio of triplets

When Spain Park High School’s Class of 2013 graduated last month, some of the students had more in common than a high school experience: a set of parents. Three sets of triplets were in the graduating class.

Who knows the odds of this happening in one city, at one school, in one graduating class. But for whatever reason – it’s happened at Spain Park High School – and it’s caused quite a buzz.

All three sets are fraternal, not identical. That being the case, many at the school haven’t even realized over the years that the three sets of triplets existed. All trekked through Hoover City Schools K-12, with two sets beginning at Greystone Elementary and one at Riverchase Elementary.

“We’ve all been (in the same school) since sixth grade and have come all the way up through high school together,” Carlton Ivy said.

Amanda, Carlton and Danielle Ivy; Paige, Connor and Catherine Burleson; and Sam, Hannah and A.J. Hudson comprise the trio of triplets. A tight bond not only exists within the individual triplet sets but also among the three sets collectively. Some of their families travel together. One of the Burlesons is dating a Hudson. You get the picture.

“It brings us closer. It’s the basis of our friendship, but there’s also so much more than that. We are all really, really good friends. Not just because we’re triplets but because we get along so well together,” Paige Burleson said.

The fraternal nature of their birth differs appearances just enough to throw people off. This May, however, it was impossible not to know these guys and gals are triplets. Photo opps were staged all around the front of the school, the media center and the courtyard.

Triplets stick together – as evidenced by their colleges and universities of choice. Four colleges/universities are represented among the nine: The University of Alabama; Auburn University; Birmingham-Southern College; and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In fact, one triplet trio – the Ivys – all will be attending UA.

“There’s always something in common between us, and we’ve grown a lot closer this senior year. It’s sad to see everyone go, but being triplets has really brought us closer,” Hannah Hudson said.

-Submitted by Hoover City Schools.