Three sets of twins, a set of triplets in preschool class

Emily VanNatta has 16 students in her Wednesday and Friday class for 3-year-olds at Bishop Hayes Guardian Angel Preschool. Six of them are twins, plus one set of triplets. They are, from left: twins Nicholas and Alina Juszczyk; triplets Lincoln, Gavin and Vaughn Brookhart; twins Raen and Ava Acker; and twins Nathan and Nicole Bovenkamp. Beth Van Zandt/Muscatine Journal

MUSCATINE, Iowa -- With three sets of twins and a set of triplets, multiples are in the majority at one Bishop Hayes Guardian Angel Preschool class.

Emily VanNatta has 16 students in her Wednesday and Friday class for 3-year-olds. Nine of them are part of a pair or a trio.

"I taught first grade for years, and I can't imagine how having four sets of multiples changes the dynamic in the class," parent Marnee Acker said. "Bless Miss VanNatta."

Acker and her husband, Erik Acker, are the parents of identical twin girls, Raen and Ava.

At preschool, the girls are joined by:

Twins Nathan and Nicole Bovenkamp, the children of Jon and Michelle Bovenkamp.

Twins Nicholas and Alina Juszczyk, the children of Don and Laura Juszczyk.

Triplets Lincoln, Gavin and Vaughn Brookhart, the sons of Karen and Jamie Brookhart. Lincoln and Gavin are identical, while Vaughn is fraternal.

VanNatta said the most challenging thing about her class of multiples is telling the two identical pairs apart.

"At first, it was difficult getting used to who was who," she said.

The Brookharts understand the challenge VanNatta is facing.

"I feel bad for the teacher to try to figure it out," Karen Brookhart said. "I get my own kids confused. We color code them."

Gavin wears green, Lincoln wears red and Vaughn wears blue.

Ava and Raen wear different colored earrings to help identify who is who.

Although they were surprised, Bishop Hayes officials were willing to take on four sets of multiples.

The Brookharts like the dynamic of the classroom. Normally, the triplets are singled out for a lot of attention. At preschool, many of their classmates come as a set.

"I think it's great," Karen Brookhart said.

Being part of a pair helps Nathan and Nicole Bovenkamp, too.

"I think it's interesting to see them interact together," Michelle Bovenkamp said. "I know for my two, it makes them less anxious being in a class with a sibling."

Laura Juszczyk said her children knew all the other multiples before the school year started.

"I felt sorry for the teacher," she said.

Despite the close relationships, sibling rivalry does not usually crop up in the classroom, VanNatta said.

"They take care of each other," she said. "They tend to -- if one's sad, the other one will make sure they're OK."

Although some of her students may look the same, they all have different personalities.

"They're all individuals," VanNatta said. "They're all really great kids, and I really enjoy having them."

(Edit:Ruby)