Three sets of triplets among freshmen at UD

The triplets are Nico, Lucas and Alan Avila-John of Bellbrook; Jared, Katelyn and Courtney Dvorsky of Mason; and Paige, Jack and Matt Pontarelli of Glenview, Ill., near Chicago.

“We’ll all be doing different things,” said Nico Avila-John of why he and his brothers chose UD. “But it’s kind of comforting to know that they will be around to share some of that.”

None of the nine triplets, all of whom moved in over the weekend, will share a room.

The closest in proximity will be Jack and Matt Pontarelli, who are next-door neighbors in Stewart Hall. Their sister, Paige, is on another floor at the dorm.

Jeffrey John, father to the Avila-John triplets, said his sons should find their two-person dorm rooms a welcome change.

“They’ve got more room now than they did at home,” John said. “They’ve lived in the same bedroom all of their lives.”

There also will be some separation for the triplets in their classes, which start Wednesday, Aug. 25. None of the nine triplets share a major with their siblings.

They do all share a family history with the school.

Alison Pontarelli is a 1982 graduate of UD. She visited the school for her 25th reunion and said she convinced her daughter, Paige, to take a look.

“Once she visited, she was sold. She thought the boys would really like it, too,” Pontarelli said.

Trese and Richard Dvorsky are both UD alumni who graduated in 1981 and 1982, respectively.

“UD was (my) home for four years, and there is that comfort factor,” Trese Dvorsky said. “They made their choice, but we’re very happy they chose UD.”

The Avila-Johns’ parents aren’t alumni, but their mother works at the school. Karin Avila-John is an academic coordinator of UD’s Intensive English Program. Jeffrey John is an associate professor of communication at Wright State University.

But, family history aside, Alison Pontarelli said she likes the idea of having all of her kids in one place.

“Logistically, emotionally and financially,” she said with a sigh. “I keep telling myself that.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7325 or jikelley@DaytonDailyNews.com.