Three’s a charm

Marisa O’Neil

Three sisters who graduate from Newport Harbor High School today are

all approaching the ceremony in their own distinct ways.

“I’ll probably cry,” 18-year-old Kerissa Peters said with a

nervous laugh.

“I’ll probably throw up,” her twin, Jessica, worried.

“I’m ready to graduate today,” their 16-year-old sister Jacqueline

Schardt said confidently.

While twins graduating in the same class is a given, having a

younger sister joining them in caps and gowns doesn’t happen every

day. But Jacqueline skipped eighth grade, setting up the unusual --

if sometimes difficult -- situation.

“They used to make fun of me all the time,” Jacqueline said of her

sisters. “[Jessica] would always say: ‘You’re younger; nobody needs

to listen to you.’”

Kerissa, meanwhile, had to deal with Jacqueline taking the “smart

sister” role from her.

Each has since found her niche: Kerissa is the cute technology

geek; Jessica is the pretty, boy-crazy one; and Jacqueline is the

smart tomboy.

Kerissa and Jessica, both petite blonds, share a room decorated

with stars painted on the ceiling and pictures of wild animals

hanging from the walls. Brunette Jacqueline, who’s taller and who

people frequently confuse for an older sister, has her own room with

sea-foam green walls, bamboo curtains and a beachy theme.

Both twins work at a flower store, while Jacqueline works at a tea

and smoothie shop. Jacqueline excels at math and in the sciences; her

sisters prefer drawing and writing.

Kerissa is interested in photography and will be attending Cal

State Long Beach in the fall. Jessica, who likes art, will start off

at Orange Coast College. And Jacqueline will study chemical

engineering at Cal Poly Pomona.

But, as typical teenage girls, they do have some things in common

-- all three love hair, makeup and shopping.

“We like getting dressed up, like little Barbie dolls,” Jacqueline

said.

Having three teenage girls, all going through the throes of

puberty, teen angst, rebellion, graduation and going off to college

could be a daunting experience. But their mother, Maureen Peters,

said she and the girls’ stepfather, Pat Peters, got a lot of help and

support from their church and the school’s Advancement Via Individual

Determination college-prep program.

“I’m OK,” Maureen Peters said of graduating three girls at once.

“I’m so happy with [them]. It would be different if they were going

off in a bad direction, but they’ve all really landed on their feet.”

Their parents will get a little respite before the empty-nest

syndrome hits because all three will live at home their first year of

college. And, of course, they have Dad’s two female cats, which, he

said, prepared the former bachelor for living with four women.

“They ignore you and spend all your money,” he said with a laugh.

* MARISA O’NEIL covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4268 or by e-mail at marisa.oneil@latimes.com.