Sibling Rivalries

Younger siblings battle with the expectation to follow in the family footsteps.

Measuring up to older siblings is sometimes difficult. How do students meet expectations that they did not set? What is it like to constantly live in an older sibling’s shadow? Then again, is it really such a bad thing?

My older brother and I could not be more different. He is outgoing, independent, social, and loves being the center of attention. I on the other hand, am more quiet and reserved. Yet, I am constantly being compared to him.

I am held to different expectations because I am “Rodney’s little sister.”

On the other hand, I take pleasure in knowing he has gone through the same experiences that I am going through. I liked having someone at school to help out with the things I did not understand.

I liked being compared because I loved the competition; I enjoyed the feeling of doing something that he could not.

I am not the only one at Christian Brothers reaping in the expectations and benefits of an older sibling.

Freshman Ally Snyder (’16) speaks endearingly of her older brother Logan Snyder (’14).

“He prepared me — he told me what to do and what not to do,” the freshman said of his older brother. “Also, whenever I see him he acknowledges me. I like having him there.”

Besides being different genders, Ally and Logan aren’t that different. They are both extremely athletic and lack artistic creativity. They generally like the same things, which has created an unbreakable bond between the siblings.

Ally admits that sometimes she would like to be the one to make a first impression, but she continues on to say, “I’m okay with him making [the first impression] because then I get the chance to do it better than [he did].”

Competition is a game between siblings. Always trying to outshine the other is something that sophomore Garrick Sigl (’15) and his older sister Taryn Sigl (’13) know much about.

Garrick states, “My sister and I have very competitive personalities, so we strive to be the best.”

Unlike Logan and Ally, Garrick and Taryn are different in many ways. Garrick explains that people assume that because they are related, he should be “ just as athletic as her.” This is not the case.

“I’m an actor [and] she has the worst stage fright. She is a softball player, I can’t even hold the bat right.”

Junior Carleigh Nivens (’14)adds that although her older sister graduated a few years ago, people still place expectations on Carleigh. The junior, however, is fine with the expectations because her older sister Erica Nivens ’11 is “[her] role model. She is someone [that Carleigh] would be proud to be like”

Older siblings are great. Having someone who completely relates and understands what you are going through in high school is great. Having someone like that in your own household is even better.

It is cool knowing that an older sibling started a legacy at CB, and you have the opportunity to continue that legacy. But it is also important to remember that every person is an individual and might not follow the same path that his or her older sibling did — and that is perfectly fine.