Growing up is four times the fun

By Harold Gwin

They are interested in continuing their education at YSU.

BOARDMAN — What’s it like growing up as one of four quadruplets?

“I can’t give you an answer,” said Bryan Ericsson, oldest of the Ericsson quadruplets from Boardman. “I’ve been a quad my whole life. I’ve never been a single child. It feels normal.”

He and his siblings — sister Brianne and brothers Brandon and Bradley — will all graduate today from Cardinal Mooney High School.

“When you were little, you’d never get bored,” Brandon said, explaining there were always playmates of the same age.

“We’ve stayed close, but we all have different friends,” Brianne said.

Their mother, Janet, a teacher in the Youngstown schools, said they are the first set of quadruplets ever born at St. Elizabeth Health Center. They entered the world Nov. 29, 1989.

They’ve been close all their lives and went to St. Charles School together through the eighth grade and then moved on to Mooney, she said.

It was her choice to send them to St. Charles, but they got to make their own choice of high schools, Brandon said.

St. Charles is a feeder school for Mooney, and the quads were all familiar with Mooney, he said, adding that the boys all wanted to play football there.

They have, with all three being members of this year’s starting line.

Brianne, the youngest of the four, played volleyball at Mooney for three years and spent last season coaching for Holy Family School in Poland.

“Good academics, good sports program,” she said.

“They’re good kids, generally involved in things,” said Sister Jane Kudlacz, Cardinal Mooney principal.

All four may also attend the same university — Youngstown State.

Brian, Bradley and Brianne have all made their decision, but Brandon is torn between YSU and Mount Union College, and wants to play football for whichever school he finally chooses.

The similarity in their education will end there as Bryan plans to pursue a career in the human sciences, Brandon is interested in business marketing and Brianne wants to major in forensic science.

Bradley said his major is undecided.

The Ericssons said they haven’t really dressed alike since early childhood, but they do all work at the same place — Arby’s in Cornersburg.

“That’s a funny story,” Bryan said, beginning to tell the tale before Brianne interrupted.

“I put an application in, but they made a mistake when they called and asked for Bryan,” she said.

It turns out that they both got an interview and both got hired.

Brianne said that, when the restaurant manager learned they were part of a set of quadruplets, she insisted on hiring all four. They’ve worked there about two years, although the boys take football season off.

Brianne is a crew leader, and they have to report to her when they work her shift, Janet Ericsson said.

What’s it like working for your sister? “It’s great,” said Bradley, drawing laughs from his siblings.

“They all try to be pretty defiant. You have to keep them in line,” Brianne said.

The Ericssons aren’t the only family “team” graduating from Mooney today.

The list of graduates includes triplets Kaley, Kelly and Kirstin Donoghue of Cornersburg, and twins David and Dan Kalman of Boardman.

gwin@vindy.com