Triple Threat

When Leanne Bush was told to go on bed rest in the fifth week of her pregnancy with triplets, she didn't expect the slightly premature trio to grow up to individually set Melissa High School track records. Freshmen Claighton, Jackson and Bradley are involved with a number of activities in addition to track. Claighton is a varsity cheerleader and serves as a guard and wing for basketball. Jackson and Bradley are on the junior varsity football team, playing receiver/safety and receiver/cornerback, respectively. They also play basketball, as forward and point guard, and baseball as first base/left field and center/second base. Leanne and husband Dirk, both former athletes, got the triplets involved with gymnastics early on, knowing it would be important to their physical and emotional development to be active. The three attempted and stuck with their current activities as soon as they were able to, recognizing them as lifelong passions. An additional influence was older brother Aaron, a junior on the Melissa varsity football team. The Bushes say having four kids in the same high school heavily involved creates some complications but more solutions, and definitely creates a unique bond. "You gotta communicate and plan everything out in advance," Bradley said. Jackson detailed, "If one of us is playing at home and the other away, our parents will split responsibilities for the night." The size of the town also works in the family`s favor. When Aaron is not available to help get his siblings to their commitments, close proximity allows them to travel by go-cart and ease a potentially hectic schedule. Claighton sees these journeys as an opportunity to spend more time with her family." I really enjoy having them so involved. I try to make it to all the games. It definitely makes us closer to be in the same classes, all involved with sports and at church youth group. They are two of my best friends. It's a privilege being a triplet." The boys echoed these sentiments. Bradley said having his brother on teams with him is a plus because, "It really helps out knowing there's someone to count on, it's a sense of even more security." And Jackson agreed: "You know he has your back and you can trust him. Like with all my teammates, you know you're out their contributing trying to get a win for the school." While Leanne agrees through her observation, she also has tales of more mischievous behavior amongst the siblings. "I've seen them making jokes and faces at each other, the typical things. They play pranks," Leanne said. "One of themes a real neat freak so they'll go mess up their room on purpose just to mess with them, They have their times with fighting but get along incredibly well" In the smaller town of Melissa, the high school's games truly are events; often there are more spectators than seats. "The town's very involved and supportive of the team, everybody's there," said Claighton. Jackson, Bradley and Claighton will humbly admit that this leaves them with some notoriety, as well as for being the only triplets. "It really makes you feel good," said Jackson. They are all quick to credit the rest of the community for their contributions, as well as the multiple involvements of most classmates. "You know you're not alone and there's always people to turn to," Bradley said. "The whole community is a family," Jackson explained. "You have to play to the best of your ability so you don't let people down," offered Bradley. "There's a sense of responsibility, to find a way to give back to the town supporters. Something to thank them with." It's clear that a cooperative familial spirit is active in both the Bush household and the community at large, and the sibling involvement only strengthens the integration of those worlds. . As well as being active in the church youth group, the triplets participate in an organization for Christian athletes, the FCA. As an extension, this year FCA plans to find ways to bring gifts to needy children, enable a homeless shelter and form mentoring programs. The values and practices the town celebrates match perfectly with the standards the Bush parents want for their children, proving a perfect fit. "We really enjoy it here. It's a unique situation. Great town, good schools, great band," Leanne said. "We are privileged, we were chosen to have a family like this. Four so close in age, all so involved and a happy busy. An incredible blessing." While remaining that happy busy, the triplets say they will pursue these activities for as long as they can. They work hard to be successful in the present, but do occasionally think about the future. Claighton said one particular thrill of her cheerleading is getting to be on the sidelines as her older brother plays, and that she looks forward to the years when her other brothers are in the same position. All the Bush children did get to recently share the field in football playoffs, when it's customary to have junior varsity players there. "They may not get to play, but they were all on the sidelines as one. It was an incredible moment," Leanne said.