Makayla, Rayanna and Aaliyan Ivy
By Debbie Burt Myers
Neshoba Central High School’s Navy JROTC, which captured its fourth state title in six years at last year’s Mississippi State All-Service JROTC Drill Championship, is boasting another first.
For the first time in its 22-year history, there is a set of identical triplets among its cadets. What’s more, they are eighth graders.
Neshoba is one of 84 JROTC units in Mississippi, which consists of Navy, Marine Corps, Army and Air Force.
The triplets – Makayla, Rayanna and Aaliyan Ivy – are seamen recruits.
Despite them looking almost identical, the girls have their own unique personalities, hobbies and career goals. However, the decision to join JROTC was made collectively.
They aren’t from a military family though their late grandfather served his country. What’s more, their aunt Desi Ivy was in JROTC. She is currently working on her nursing degree.
After the NJROTC Instructors came to Neshoba Central Middle School to speak to students, the girls talked to their aunt about JROTC. She was very supportive of their decision.
Rayanna said it looked fun.
She hopes the program will help improve her social skills and help her gain more self confidence.
“They don’t leave people out,” she said. “They embrace you and make you feel comfortable where you are. They always call us a family.”
McKayla was impressed by a number of things about NJROTC, including the uniforms, the cadets, and instructors.
“I really look up to them,” she said.
Aaliyah was attracted to NJROTC because of the opportunities to get financial assistance in college.
Filled with self confidence, the eighth grader likes to “boost up” her peers.
Captain Regan Kieff used many attributes to describe his new seaman recruits.
“All three are very respectful,” he said. “They are good at following directions. They are always on time and punctual with their assignments. They are really excited about the program. It is something very special to them.”
“We think it is very unique to have triplets in the program,” Capt. Kieff said.
The girls volunteer for Diamond Dreams and enjoy playing basketball. They are working hard to try out for the NJROTC drill team.
Aaliyan and McKayla hope to go into the military after graduating from college while Rayanna aspires a career as a veterinarian.
The triplets, however, have no plans to separate after high school. They are extremely close to each other. They plan to go to the same college and pursue different fields.
Eleventh grader and drill team commander Teshiilyn Henry said her role is to take the younger cadets under her wings.
“At drill practice, we separate them into groups and teach the underclassmen how to do drill,” Henry said. “We teach them the basics to help them grow in the program.”
Henry is proud of the triplets, noting that they are doing well for eighth graders.
They are the daughters of Hillary Ivy of Philadelphia and the granddaughters of Amanda Stokes of Meridian.