JEFFERSON TWP — For several families watching Knoch High School graduation Friday night, they got to see more than one child walk the stage.

That's because the class included nine pairs of twins.

They were among the 251 students who received their diplomas at the ceremony held in the school's auditorium.

Identical twins Megan and Sam McCarthy said they were put in different classes starting in kindergarten at the request of their parents.

Being apart turned out to be a good thing, they said.

“We both made our own personalities and we had our own friends,” Sam said.

The sisters said that their classmates, even their close friends, would get them mixed up all the time.

Despite being separate, the two were still inseparable outside of class.

“When we got to high school, we were excited because we had the same lunch,” Megan said.

As they move on to college, they will again be at the same place, but in different classes.

They both plan to attend Slippery Rock University. Megan will major in athletic training, while Sam will major in digital communications.

Sam considered Point Park University, but decided being near her sister would be a good thing.

“It's better to have a crutch. At Slippery Rock I'll know someone; at Point Park I would know no one,” she said.

During the ceremony, assistant Principal Tyler Vargo said that the class earned $2.5 million in scholarships.

Principal Todd Trofimuk encouraged the class to leave its mark on the world.

“You will influence the lives of all the people who surround you,” he said.

Student speaker Nathaniel Petit told the class that they will be able to make a difference.

“With youth, our generation will tear down walls and laugh in the face of those who try to build them up,” he said.

Bennett Thoma gave a speech inspired by the recently deceased boxer Muhammad Ali.

“Make the days count, be the greatest and float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,” he said.

Several students described the class as close- knit.

Tyler McDowell said they got along well.

“There was less violence compared to other schools,” he said.

McDowell said his favorite teacher was emotional support teacher Michelle Fink.

“She would help you out with work if you need help catching up,” he said.

Jewell Yohe graduated Friday, but she was also the student of the year at the Butler County Vocational- Technical School, where she studied to be a diesel technician.

“I enjoyed vo-tech probably the most, I spent three years there and I really connected with all the people up there,” she said.

She said she plans to move to California to find a job and live with her fiancee, who is a Marine.

Julie Zilka said she plans to study early-childhood education and special education at Slippery Rock University.

“It's bittersweet,” she said about graduation. “I'm excited, but it's hard to leave everybody.”