By Emily Williams
For triplets Abby, Maggie and Michael Hagelskamp, making it to the top of their graduating class at John Carroll Catholic High School was never a long-term goal, it was something that came quite naturally.
“By the time junior year came around, we realized that it was a possibility to finish in the top five,” Abby said.
The Hagelskamp siblings grew up in Hoover and began their schooling at Our Lady of the Valley in North Shelby County, where their mother held a teaching position.
“Our parents always said that if you’re going to do something, do it right. So, that applied to school too,” Michael said.
The three said it didn’t hurt that their home had a built-in study group to call on if they needed help brushing up on certain topics.
“It definitely helps because some of us forget homework, so it’s nice to have someone there to help out or to explain something that we are having trouble with,” Abby said.
Maggie said that Abby is the go-to when anybody needs help with math and Michael is the history buff of the family.
They agreed that their devotion to their studies often differed from the work ethic of their friends, but Maggie stressed that taking the time to finish her school work was never a sacrifice.
“Looking back it wasn’t that hard,” Abby added. “When you’re younger you think that it’s terrible, but studying didn’t make me miss out on anything. It’s just something I did and it really helped in the long run.”
Because of their success throughout their high school careers, the triplets said many doors have been opened for them. Abby was able to join the math honor society, Mu Alpha Theta; Maggie tutored younger students; and Michael served as a board member for the school’s National Honor Society.
In addition, each sibling took part in a sport. Abby played varsity basketball, Maggie played soccer, both girls played lacrosse and Michael held a position on the varsity football team.
One of the things Maggie said she will miss most about life at John Carroll are football games. She’ll see plenty of football games in college, but her brother won’t be in the party of players on the field.
Abby and Maggie plan to attend Auburn University in the fall, Abby studying microbiology and Maggie pursuing nursing.
The two made a point to say they would not be roommates. According to Abby, the arrangement would be nothing short of mayhem.
The two girls will be saying goodbye to daily life with their brother earlier than expected this summer, as he leaves for West Point in July to begin his training and orientation.
“I’ve always wanted to serve in the military, and West Point offers you the opportunity to serve and be an officer while getting a world-class education,” Michael said.
His admittance into the university was only achieved through his academic excellence and extracurricular involvement along with a recommendation from a local congressman. He said his background in football didn’t hurt him in the physical fitness requirements, either.
“I’ll miss the friends I made here, because I’ll be further away from most of them and won’t have as much contact,” he said. That includes his sisters, who said that the three probably haven’t spent more than a week apart in their entire lives.
Regardless of the weight of the changes the three will make in the coming months, they were all smiles and said they couldn’t wait to see what the next chapters in their educations hold.
