Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK High School Class of 2025 has 15 sets of twins

A Long Island high school will soon be in the limelight as 15 sets of twins graduate this month from Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School. 

Some of the twins created a way to help the 30 of them navigate all the requests for photos and interviews.

"The twin girls — because we know that we’re going to have to take charge — made a group chat," said Sydney Monka, laughing with her brother, Ben. "We’ll be like, ‘Hey guys, we have this going on. What are we wearing ... Make sure to tell your twin.’ "

The Monka twins said though it was initially strange to do a news interview at school, it was fun to see themselves on websites and broadcasts afterward.

Rebeccah and Josh Grossfeld said the attention had been surprising and exciting.

"We knew there were a lot of twins in our district, but it wasn’t really that crazy to us because it’s just always been like that," Rebeccah Grossfeld said.

Principal Heather Dvorak said the school anticipated a lot of excitement surrounding the Class of 2025.

But this school’s seen double before — and even triple. In 2014, Plainview’s graduating class had nine sets of twins and one collection of triplets.

A sense of community

Dvorak said the unique connection and strong bonds among the twins brought the senior class together.

"Each class has their own unique culture and vibe," Dvorak said. "This year, I knew coming in that they we're gonna be very unified. ... They just had this sense of community and pride."

Kayla and Emma Leibowitz, recognized as the senior class’ dynamic duo in the yearbook, are one of three sets of twins in their friend group.

"We’ve been best friends since elementary school," Kayla Leibowitz said. "They get it ... they’re kind of like us — they bicker and then they’re best friends."

The Monka twins said navigating K-12 was helpful with a built-in best friend. The two motivated one another as they grew older.

"Trying to push as hard as we can to beat the other one is what helps us be so successful," Ben Monka said, pointing to several honors cords atop their graduation gowns.

Branching out

Dvorak said most of the twins would be heading to different colleges this fall. For many, it will be the first time away from one another for a prolonged period.

"We’re always together. I don’t think we’re ever really apart from each other," Emma Leibowitz said.

Kayla Leibowitz will go to Syracuse University, while Emma will attend Binghamton University. Despite being only an hour away, the two foresee it being difficult after years of sharing closets and doing everything together.

The Monkas also said it would be hard to be apart, with Sydney heading to University of Connecticut and Ben going to Binghamton University. Ben Monka says he often wakes his sister for school in the morning, while Sydney reminds him to complete important tasks.

"I keep checking my phone, we’re going to be like six hours away," Sydney Monka said. "It’s weird ... I didn’t realize how much I depended on him."

Josh Grossfeld will be attending George Washington University in Washington, D.C., this fall, while Rebeccah will be at the University of Maryland. The twins look forward to being independent at their respective campuses, while still being close enough to visit.

"It’s always nice knowing that you have your sibling at arm’s reach," Josh Grossfeld said. "She can text me if she needs help with something and I can just take the train over."