Fraternal twin sisters Kayla and Sara Aaron have shared nearly every chapter of life, but at PennWest Clarion, their academic paths began to diverge – each pursuing a degree aligned with her own goals. 

The sisters graduated May 9, Sara with a bachelor’s degree in biology on the pre-veterinary track and Kayla with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. They say their similarities are few: the blue hue of their eyes, their stubbornness, and the decision to attend Clarion, just 20 minutes from their hometown of Lucinda. 

“All of my family was still an arm’s length away, and it was very feasible to live at home while also having a college experience,” Kayla said. “It never felt like we were missing out.” 

Both sisters describe the last four years as academically demanding, but they say those challenges prepared them well for what comes next. 

For Kayla, clinical experiences were central to her growth as a nursing student. 

“My clinical experiences have played a drastic role in my confidence and compassion,” she said. “I learned critical thinking for quick decision making, patient assessment skills and effective communication with interdisciplinary teams.” 

Her hands-on learning began with clinical rotations in her sophomore year, experiences she credits with helping her grow into a confident and compassionate nurse. She is now working as a registered nurse on the med/surg–pediatrics floor at UPMC Northwest in Seneca. 

Sara’s hands-on learning proved just as influential. 

“The labs – genetics, endocrinology, and cell physiology—showed what real life is like and how things will be done in practice,” she said. “The biology coursework has helped me build the skills and confidence I need for vet school by laying a strong foundation that I know will only grow from here.” 

Among her most meaningful experiences were her research project, Cats, Dogs, and Horses’ Oral Flora/Bacteria, and her endocrinology course. Kayla plans to enroll in veterinary school this fall. 

“I will be a small fish in a big pond again, which is OK,” she said. “Academically, I am ready for the next step because of PennWest.” 

Both sisters say PennWest Clarion provided the support and preparation they needed. 

Kayla expressed gratitude for her nursing faculty, particularly Dr. Pamela Karg, Dr. Melanie Best, Dr. Emilie Kennedy, and Dr. Ginelle Hunsberger. 

“They have wanted the very best for each of their students,” she said. 

Sara echoed that sentiment about her experience in the biology program. 

“The PennWest community has shaped my sense of direction by the pure amount of support coming from all angles,” she said. “I have felt supported in many choices I have made throughout all four years.” 

While PennWest prepared them professionally, the sisters say college also helped them grow as individuals. 

“It has been good for us to branch away from each other a little bit, as we have pretty much done everything together our whole lives until college,” Kayla said. 

Sara agreed. 

“We have learned how to be our own people through college, which has been good for us.” 

Looking back, both sisters are happy they chose to stay close to home. 

“Clarion has been really good to us. The nursing professors have been some of the kindest people I have ever met, and they are the reason I have learned so much over the last four years,” Kayla said. 

“People have said that you can't get anywhere from a small-town school,” Sara said. “But in reality, I am having these big graduate schools give me wonderful feedback from being at Clarion.”