Lakewood Ranch twins set different paths after graduation from ODA

Lakewood Ranch fraternal twins Nolan and Trey Naese, who graduate from The Out-of-Door Academy on May 24, never particularly liked being compared to each other.

They said the comparisons from teachers and classmates has become annoying throughout the years as they’ve found their own passions and interests and become their own individuals. 

Stlll, they admit that going their separate ways after graduation is bittersweet.

They said it was difficult to say goodbye to their older brother, Jake, who is a junior at Temple University in Pennsylvania. So they can’t imagine how difficult it will be not seeing each other every day.

While they have been side-by-side for most of their 18 years, their parents, Laura and Brian Naese, did agree to allow ODA to put them in different homerooms when they started school in first grade. The boys weren't in the same classes at ODA throughout most of their school careers, although it happened at times in high school.

Trey said the high school classes they had together were more fun knowing they were in it together. They said having each other in class was like having a built-in study buddy to compare notes and talk over lessons. 

Photo by Liz Ramos

When they weren’t in class together, they spent time on campus together. They had lunch together and sometimes saw each other during free periods.

So, in August, when Nolan heads to Towson University and Trey goes to Notre Dame, it will be an adjustment. It will be the longest period of time they've ever spent apart.

Even so, their family has double the excitement as they go their separate ways and begin new adventures.

Looking back at their ODA careers, the twins said that being in different classes did allow them to expand their individual horizons and go their own directions.They met new people, which gave both of them the opportunity to add new friends to their group.

They both love sports, but Nolan is all about baseball. His dream is to play baseball in college, which will come true after he signed a scholarship with Towson University. Trey quit playing baseball in second grade when he picked up lacrosse. 

Nolan has a mind more for finance and business with the desire to become a financial advisor while Trey is all about the sciences. Trey will be on the pre-medical track at the University of Notre Dame. 

Laura Naese said it’s been rewarding to see the individuals her sons have become. She said their different passions gave them varying and positive experiences. For example, Noah played on a travel baseball team while Trey played on a travel lacrosse team where they each made their own friends and traveled to different places. 

Courtesy image

As the case with many siblings, there is sometimes a sense of competition among them, especially when it comes to “friendly” games in the backyard. 

There has been a time or two when a calm game of playing basketball on their hoverboards turns to a game of who can push the other off his hoverboard.

The parents sometimes have seen it get to the point where they were worried they would have to take one to the emergency room.

“That’s when we say it has escalated probably as much as we want it to,” Laura said.

The competition never stopped the boys from supporting each other. Any chance they had, the twins would be at each other’s game cheering, even if it was after their own practice or game. 

The most support came during the college application process. The process was different for Trey and Nolan as Trey spent hours writing essays for college applications while Nolan went to college baseball camps in hopes of securing a spot on the team.

“Putting all your hard work into these schools just to get 10 minutes of your life looked at by the admissions officer to decide whether or not you’re the right fit definitely takes a lot out of you,” Trey said. 

But the brothers always were there for each other. 

Trey and Nolan found ways to distract each other during their college searches. They would hang out together with friends or go outside to play games or simply just make each other laugh. 

“It meant a lot to know that I wasn't going through this process alone and someone could see that I needed some help,” Trey said. 

Although they are going their separate ways, Nolan and Trey said they know they will never be truly alone.