Sibling solidarity

Relatives on campus bond through college experiences, being away from parents

By Samantha Ganey

For the Daily

Siblings on campus would give the shirts off their backs for each other - if they can keep track of their shirts, that is.

The thrill of witnessing her first Naked Mile as a freshman seemed to intoxicate LSA senior Erin Patrick. Erin dashed down South University, oblivious to the clothes that secretly jumped from her backpack onto the sidewalk. She was ecstatic to meet her big sister at the end. LSA alum Sarah Patrick had not been aware of her little sister's nearly delusional excitement and had entrusted her clothes to Erin at the beginning of the race.

Although freshmen usually carry the latest model of indestructible backpacks, Erin managed to lose the sweaters, the shirts and, most importantly, the keys of her sister's boyfriend. Crushed by her inability to revive the Pony Express, Erin attempted to return to South University and to follow her Hansel and Gretel trail. T-shirts and jeans covered South University like leaves in fall, and Erin unfortunately raked up the wrong clothes.

"My sister had to walk home in her Betsy Barbour apron. She was pissed off!" Erin recalled.

Despite inevitable tiffs between siblings, especially quarrels like this one the Patrick sisters had involving potential frostbite at the Naked Mile, most students agreed that they got along better with their siblings once they both attended the University.

When Mom and Dad are in the other room, siblings often fight. When Mom and Dad are in another city, college siblings often bond. The University's campus provides unlimited opportunities - from exhilarating football games at the Big House to relaxing nights at the Brown Jug - to foster irreplaceable memories and unending inspirations for future successes and endeavors.

Siblings can become college buddies. The tired words, "Be nice to your sister," are no longer influential. Siblings become friends by choice instead of by obligation. Words like "protect your sister's clothes" become more relevant.

LSA senior Corey Fernandez celebrates the friendship he has with twin brother LSA senior Chad Fernandez.

"We've never thrown one punch at each other. I'm not lying. We do our fighting whenever we're put in the position to defend one another. For the rest of our lives, he has my back and I have his," Corey said.

But a case of she-has-my boyfriend-and-I-have-hers may throw a twist into the harmonious sibling relationship.

"We thought for a few minutes that we may have kissed the same boy," School of Nursing alum Elise Peterson said about an unfortunate circumstance involving herself and her sister LSA junior Erica Peterson.

University siblings are willing to share almost everything, but they still participate in different activities to maintain their individuality.

"Elise was definitely a role model for activities," Erica said. "I joined the Greek system because of her, but her presence made it hard to choose a different house."

Erica is in Sigma Kappa sorority, and Elise is alum of Pi Beta Phi sorority.

Although Elise and Erica visit daily, LSA senior Amy Leenhouts and little sister LSA sophomore Lisa Leenhouts see each other less at school than at home. As older sisters, Elise and Amy both view their sisterly roles as mothering and friendly. However, Amy might not receive a Mother's Day card any time soon.

"I was supposed to bring Lisa back to school after Thanksgiving break, and I forgot to. My dad had to bring her back to school. That was kind of funny," Amy said.

Although parents occasionally helped out their children, they didn't always know when their kids were not snuggled up in residence hall rooms or when they had opted to skip a class and enjoy the Diag. They also might not have known what their children meant by going to parties on the weekend. Siblings on campus know the truth.

"We all like to pretend we're a bunch of country cowboys," Corey said about parties he attends with brother Chad and their friends. "The two of us and the rest of the cowboys would DJ a few late nights at our fraternity. It would end up a country fest where everyone would laugh and point at the cowboy-boot-stomping hicks."

Parents saddle up their children and encourage them to enjoy the college ride together.

"One major activity that we have shared is that we have both been work study during college. Fortunately for us, my dad has instilled in us that work in college can be viewed as a hobby," Elise said.

The Fernandez brothers came to the University as a result of parental encouragement and devotion to Wolverine spirit.

"We are both Michigan boys who grew up living Michigan football. Our parents guided us toward a very well-rounded academic path," Corey said.

Once siblings are at the University, they not only compete for boyfriends like the Peterson sisters or race to the end of the Naked Mile like the Patrick sisters, they work for the best grades. Parents still compare report cards in college

"The only really annoying part of having my sister here is that she tries really hard in school and therefore gets better grades than I do. My parents use that as amunition against me," Amy said.

Twin siblings Sarah and Becky Phillips, both School of Music seniors, were not encouraged to attend the same university. Promising they would be happy with any decision, their parents left the sisters' choices strictly up to them. Sarah and Becky auditioned at various music schools.

"No matter what, we always come to the same decisions. Michigan was our last choice," Sarah said. "But, we both changed our minds, and we both came here."

Whether the University was the siblings' first or last choice, they agree that companionship at school is invaluable, especially when it's your sister or brother.

"I guess Chad is the one who makes me see the brighter side of trying new things," Corey said. "I'm getting scared to graduate, and he'll help me see the bright new things we'll get our hands on after college."

JESSICA JOHNSON/Daily

Cathy and Elizabeth Majewski swing on a church playground on Fifth Avenue. These twins from Dearborn have been very close all their lives. Elizabeth is now a senior in art and design at the University, while her sister studies at Eastern Michigan.