THREE OF A KIND — Aurora triplets leave Hinkley as a trifecta of star pupils

AURORA | The Addai-Opoku family made a profound statement at Hinkley High School’s graduation ceremony — in triplicate.

Among the 2024 cohort of graduates on May 20 were Mariah, Samuel and Mercy Addai-Opoku.

Born and raised in Colorado, the triplets have attended Aurora Public Schools since they were little. They started their high school years during the pandemic, when classes were held online.

Mariah said that they were ranked in the top 20 of their class when they were freshmen, and their parents encouraged them to keep climbing. 

After years of participating in sports and working through honors and concurrent classes, the triplets finished in the top 10 of their graduating class. Mariah is ranked at number seven, Mercy is ranked number nine and Samuel is ranked number 10. 

Samuel, the second-oldest triplet,  attributed his “middle-child” academic success to his time management skills, balancing his days and nights between studying and participating in sports. Mariah and Mercy played volleyball while Samuel played soccer. Mercy added that perseverance and never giving up is important. 

“I think that’s something we all learned on our own,” Mariah, the oldest of the triplets, said. “We know that if you want to make things happen, we are the ones that have to be responsible and accountable for our actions.” 

When asked about the teachers and staff at Hinkley High School who helped them the most, Mercy, the baby of the siblings, all born on the same day, thanked the athletic trainer Adiana Trost, whom she affectionately called “Miss Ana.” Mercy said that she liked how she “takes the time to actually get to know us.” 

Mercy thanked Trost for being supportive and reliable. 

Samuel thanked “Mr. Williams,” the head of security. Samuel said that Williams encouraged him to become the president of the student government in his senior year, a goal he achieved. 

“Thank you for being a role model,” Samuel said about Williams. “He was there to support me, whether it was academically or sports. And I think without him, I wouldn’t be where I’m at right now.” 

Mariah thanked theater teacher Kristen Martin, whom she affectionately called “Mrs. KMart.” 

“She’s always pushed us to get better in our craft,” Mariah said. “I really do appreciate everything that she does for us.” 

The triplets donned their blue caps and gowns while displaying their bright colored stoles and cords of distinction during their high school graduation May 20.

But it wasn’t the first time they walked across the stage in caps and gowns. 

Earlier this month, the triplets also received their associate degrees from the Community College of Aurora. Mariah and Mercy received an associate of arts degree while Samuel obtained an associate of science degree. 

Children of Ghana immigrants, the triplets are the first in their families to obtain a college degree.

And now, they’re working for multiple degrees already. 

This fall, Mariah and Mercy will be attending Colorado State University in Fort Collins. Mariah wants to pursue degrees in theater and psychology. Mercy wants to study interior design and architecture.

Samuel will be attending the University of Colorado in Boulder and plans on studying aerospace engineering. He earned a scholarship from the Sachs Foundation, which will provide $10,000 every year for four years. 

All three also earned scholarships from Gear Up, which Mariah said helps students take initiative in their education. They will get $4,000 over the course of four years. 

Their parents are staying in Aurora, and they’re going from a full-to-empty nest.

“[Our parents] are definitely excited that we’re onto the next chapter,” Mariah said. “But at the same time, they’re not losing one child. It’s all three of us at the same time so I definitely think that they are a little sad.” 

But the triplets said their campuses are not too far away, so they will still hang out.