Family Pride: Siblings Abound at Widener

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Family Pride: Siblings Abound at Widener

Widener siblings Ja'Lisa Williams '25 (left) and Monique Miser '28 walk together on campus.

The Bervinchak sisters - Krista '27 and Karly '28 - can be found studying nursing in Founder's Hall and battling together on the field hockey pitch playing for the Pride.

It was always in the cards that they'd attend the same school, and Widener was the perfect fit.

"Wherever Krista went, Karly would go. They're two peas in a pod and separating them would be tough," said their mom, Pam.

The Santiago brothers - Rocco '28 and Sergio '25 - on Rocco's move-in day.

Rocco Santiago '28 grew up hearing stories about Widener from older cousins who attended, and more recently from older brother Sergio '25, a mechanical engineering major.

"Widener has treated Sergio very well; the opportunities presented to him - co-op, internship, the overall environment, pride, and culture," said Rocco.

But the Santiagos had gone to the same schools most of their lives, and Rocco didn't want to follow Sergio to college. That is, until he thought about studying law and was attracted to Widener's law schools.

Rocco started at Widener in the fall. The finance major has found a welcoming campus all his own.

But having big brother around is a bonus.

This wasn't planned. What was always planned was we'd have each other's backs. We're on the same campus and we have the opportunity to connect. And Serg is my best friend." - Rocco Santiago '28

The Bervinchak sisters and the Santiago brothers are just two of the many sets of siblings who call, or who have called, Widener home over the years. Some sets have attended concurrently; others missed each other by a few years.

Regardless, they all say that the Widener experience was so positive for the older sibling that having a younger one follow was a no-brainer, extending the Widener Pride through the generations.

Pride is what first-year student Lisa Wallon felt as she watched big sister Laura '26, Student Government Association president, deliver a speech at Academic Convocation in front of her class.

"Seeing her up there makes me proud," said Lisa, a diagnostic medical sonography major, who says that Laura's friends have welcomed her to campus.

The sisters share their calendars with each other so they can stay connected and eat lunch together weekly.

It's really cool to have Lisa here. We're starting a legacy." - Laura Wallon '26, a first-generation student originally from Haiti, whose sister, Lisa, is a first-year Widener student

Widener siblings benefit from having a familiar face and a connection to home on campus. As a high school senior, Karly Bervinchak visited big sister Krista at Widener on weekends and got to meet Krista's friends and teammates.

"I bonded with the team, so I was not worried about making connections when I started," said Karly, who occasionally gets mistaken for Krista, and vice versa.

The Bervinchak sisters - Krista '27 (left) and Karly '28 - are both nursing majors and both play on the Widener field hockey team.

Rocco's resemblance to Sergio has led to mistakes and confused looks during their brief time together on campus. The brothers laugh it off, saying the real resemblance comes when their father stands beside them.

Despite their busy schedules, the brothers make time to stay connected. "Family time is the most important time for us - family first, everything second," said Sergio.

Many Widener siblings say they try to give their relatives their own space to find their own way. Ja'Lisa Williams '25 is trying to do that with younger sister, Monique Miser '28, even though Williams takes her role of big sister seriously.

"It's a natural inclination, but I'm making a strong effort not to be overwhelming," said Ja'Lisa, an outgoing and active member of campus.

When Monique was looking at schools, Ja'Lisa didn't push Widener, even though she has found a second home here. And Monique didn't tell big sis that she applied to Widener. But when visiting one day, Ja'Lisa put on her Student Ambassador hat and gave her sister a full tour of campus.

Now enrolled, Monique, a self-described introvert, is intent on "making my own path here," but adds, "it's nice knowing Ja'Lisa's here."

That's a sentiment shared by their mom, Stephanie Miser, who is thrilled her daughters have each other. Since Widener has been such a positive experience for Ja'Lisa, it was easier to see Monique off to college.

"Ja'Lisa has gone above and beyond at Widener academically. She's working, involved in so many activities. She's a great role model," said Stephanie Miser. "I'm looking forward to seeing what Monique will do."

With her youngest still in high school, could Miser send a third child to Widener in the future?

If it happens, the family will be in good company.

The Howells, from Turks and Caicos, have sent three students to Widener, and all three have competed for the Pride.

Kristen Howell '28 first visited Widener when he was 11 years old to help his oldest sibling, Gel '21, make the move to Chester. Kristen returned to campus when the second Howell - Conrad '23 '24 - enrolled.

Wherever Gel goes, Conrad will go, and I will go. It was never a set rule, but it was kind of understood. That sat in the back of my mind. I applied to other colleges, but I always knew I was coming. And I love it so far." - Kristen Howell '28, on being the third Howell sibling to attend Widener

At Widener, Gel ran track and Conrad was a thrower. Kristen's passion is soccer and in addition to playing for the Pride men's team, he plays on the Turks and Caicos national team.

What advice did the older Howells offer Kristen?

"They told me to enjoy it, to get involved, and meet new people, and the business teachers will be my best friends," said Kristen, a sport and event management major.

Gel says it's great having their younger siblings follow in their footsteps.

"Coming from such a small country, Widener was the best place for me to gain new experiences and meet new people," said Gel. "Attending at the same time as Conrad allowed us to form a tight-knit intersectional group of friends - which now feel like family - through our many involvements around campus.

Gel adds: "I'm so excited for Kris to get to experience what Conrad and I did both on and off the field in a place that I'm sure feels like a second home. Go Pride!"

The Howells are not the only international siblings to attend Widener. The Nwaeme brothers are first-year students from Nigeria - Chibuzor is studying mechanical engineering and Chimaijem, who had previously taken a gap year, is majoring in computer science.

As sure as the brothers were that they wanted to attend college in the United States, they were determined to do it together. "It's a common dream we both had, to come together and do something important and try to be successful and accomplish something," said Chimaijem.