COVID first struck their small Arkansas town the spring of their junior year. As seniors, they continued to feel its ripple effects as they navigated classes, college applications, and graduation.

In this piece, John and Jonathan Easter, twin brothers from Bradley, Ark., reflect on the impact the pandemic had on their college plans, and the challenges they’ve overcome as the first in their immediate families to pursue higher education.

Throughout their journeys, they received support from their families as well as the Rural Community Alliance, a nonprofit organization that empowers students in rural communities.

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Twin brothers John Easter and Jonathan Easter when they were babies.

— Courtesy of Karen Morine

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Twin brothers John Easter and Jonathan Easter holding basketball trophies as kids.

— Courtesy of Karen Morine

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John Easter with his godfather Lee Morine.

— Courtesy of Karen Morine

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Twin brothers, John and Jonathan Easter, asleep in the back of a car when they were younger.

— Courtesy of Karen Morine

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John Easter and Jonathan Easter with John’s godfather, Lee Morine.

— Courtesy of Karen Morine

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Jonathan Easter on his first day of his senior year of high school in the fall of 2020.

— Courtesy of Misty Williams

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John Easter with his godparents Karen and Lee Morine, and Karen’s mother.

— Courtesy of Karen Morine

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Jonthan Easter with the son of his godparents, James C. Williams III.

— Courtesy of Misty Williams

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Jonathan Easter with his godparents Misty and James William on the night of prom.

— Courtesy of Misty Williams

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Jonathan Easter with his mother Jennifer Jackson, Karen and Lee Morine, and his godparents Misty and James Williams.

— Courtesy of Misty Williams

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Twin brothers Jonathan and John Easter prepare to walk out on the gym floor of Bradley High School on the night of their graduation ceremony on May 18, 2021.

— Patrick Rodgers/For Education Week

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John and Jonathan Easter celebrating after their graduation ceremony at Bradley High School with their godparents Karen and Lee Morine and Misty and James Williams on May 18, 2021.

— Patrick Rodgers/For Education Week

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John Easter holding gifts and cards he received after his graduation ceremony at Bradley High School on May 18, 2021.

— Patrick Rodgers/For Education Week

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Jonathan Easter celebrating after his graduation ceremony at Bradley High School on May 18, 2021.

— Patrick Rodgers/For Education Week

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Twin brothers John and Jonathan Easter walk together in their hometown of Bradley, Ark. a few weeks before they are going to begin college on July 30, 2021.

— April Kirby/For Education Week