At Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø, these triplets found it all ¡ª and one shared goal

Antione, Trevion and Luniah Gilford wanted a lot from their college choice: strong athletic programs, generous financial aid, a welcoming environment and the majors they each had in mind. The triplets from Plano, Ill., wanted a college that had it all ¡ª and for all of them. After considering all options, they decided to make Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø their new home.

¡°We decided to come to Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø because here we were offered amazing financial aid, great sports programs that fit us perfectly, and it had all of our majors,¡± said Antione Gilford, who is interested in multimedia journalism and mass communication. ¡°But what really stood out was how we felt like family from day one.¡±

Growing up, the Gilfords thrived in sports, earning recognition in basketball, football, track and wrestling at Plano High School. Trevion and Antione were named All-Conference wrestlers, while Luniah excelled in track and field. 

Now, as Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Vikings, all three are focused on becoming Academic All-Americans ¡ª students who excel in both academics and athletics. Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø is ranked in the top 1% among all NCAA divisions for Academic All-Americans.

¡°Financial aid also was a big deal for us,¡± said Trevion Gilford, who is interested in pre-med and public health. ¡°We want to get everything we can out of college, and Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø is helping us do that.¡±

All three choosing the same college brought both emotional and financial ease for their family. ¡°We knew it would be really difficult to be split up,¡± Trevion added. ¡°All of us going together just made everything easier for our family.¡±

Luniah, who is looking toward majoring in accounting and finance, says having her brothers by her side helps make her transition to college easier.

¡°We are all close,¡± said Luniah. ¡°Being at Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø with my brothers helps me miss home a little less than I would if they weren't here.¡±

As they pursue their own paths, they will stay rooted in the values they share: faith, family and hard work.

Antione says he and his siblings didn¡¯t come to Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø to be average. ¡°We want to make an impact at Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø and leave a legacy.¡±

They credit their parents for that drive. ¡°My dad works around the clock as a truck driver and scrapper, and my mom is a teacher at an elementary school,¡± Antione said. ¡°They¡¯ve worked endlessly to provide for us, and we want to make them proud and show that their hard work will pay off.¡±

Trevion, who participates in Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s TRIO program, said the college¡¯s support systems make a difference. ¡°TRIO will help me make my textbooks and other materials affordable and ensure I stay on track with my classes,¡± he said. ¡°CORE will also help me get my career started as soon as possible.¡±

For the Gilford triplets, Å·ÖÞ±­ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±­ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø is a launchpad ¡ª a place where the goals they share together can launch each one into a future that¡¯s distinctly their own.