Triplets graduating amongst top of class

Having a child graduate high school is a proud moment for parents. Having a child graduate with grades that rank them among the top of their classmates, while having scholarships lined up to carry on to college, only adds to that pride.

Clay and Kathy Vest currently have that feeling — only it’s multiplied by three. Their triplets are set to graduate with honors this week from Hokes Bluff High School.

David, Patrick and Christopher Vest will graduate ranked fifth, seventh and 10th in their class, respectively. While maintaining numeric grade point averages above 95 throughout high school, each has participated in varsity level sports, been active in the community and held jobs.

Patrick was the center for the Hokes Bluff Eagles football team for four years, three of which led to multiple rounds of the state playoffs. He was one of five local students to receive the Etowah County Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship.

David played second base for the Eagles' baseball team, reaching several rounds of playoffs during the last three years. He and the team made a state championship appearance during his junior year and played in the semifinals his senior year.

While throwing javelin in track and field, Christopher has been able to compete in the state track meet held in Gulf Shores during his junior and senior years.

Sports weren’t the only thing keeping the boys busy through high school, though. Since they were 16, all have worked part-time jobs. They saved the money they earned bagging groceries at Johnson’s Giant Food and stocking shelves at Office Depot to go toward paying for the extra costs of college.

“We are proud of the boys for all of their accomplishments and for earning scholarships, but we are also extremely proud of them for working to earn money for other costs like room and board that are still very expensive,” Kathy said. “Especially with all three kids needing that kind of money at the same time.”

The triplets also were involved at the Church of the Highlands in Gadsden. David helps serve on the parking team and takes part in the student ministry when his job permits. Christopher works on the setup team and sometimes helps out in the nursery. Patrick is most active in the church, showing up at 5 a.m. on Sundays to set up the production booth as campus lighting director during all three services.

Following graduation, all three boys plan to continue their education at four-year universities. David received a full tuition scholarship from the University of Alabama, where he plans to pursue a business degree and then attend law school. He always has enjoyed learning about U.S. history, government and politics, Kathy said.

David won’t be alone at UA, as Patrick plans to attend on an engineering scholarship to study computer engineering, taking advantage of his lifelong passion for computers.

Christopher plans to attend Jacksonville State University, Kathy’s alma mater, on an academic scholarship to study finance, with a plan to become a financial advisor. He will get a jumpstart on that career path this summer with an internship with an expert financial advisor.

Kathy said she and Clay worked hard to prepare their triplets for the world. They were born 10 weeks early, each weighing about 3 pounds, and stayed in the neonatal intensive care unit for six weeks after birth.

Having triplets was a challenge, she said. Raising them proved to be a challenge as well. Kathy said that through help from God and the boys’ grandparents, Paul and Pat Pritchett, they were able to raise them and train them to work hard. They were taught discipline in the classroom, on the field and at work, too.

At home, they instilled a good work ethic in the boys through simple chores like unloading the dishwasher when they were 6, to cutting grass at 10, to building a dining room table at 16. David, Patrick and Christopher also were taught to do what it takes and honor their word.

“We have worked hard, and our parents have worked hard with us,” David said. “But none of this could have been possible without God.”

He mentioned passages from Psalms, describing how God has led them down the best pathways and provided a light for them to go by.

“I believe He is going to keep doing it,” he said.