Within 24 hours of the Enterprise-Tocsin’s publication date, Gentry High School (Rams) will have its 2022 commencement recognizing 156 seniors for the awesome achievement of graduation. Of that number, 11 graduates hail from the Robinson family, cousins (twin sisters included) from Moorhead and Indianola. “It’s crazy that there will be so many relatives graduating in one class,” said Dominque Robinson, their aunt. “They’ve always gotten along really well and like being around each other. And once they all got to middle school, they’ve been in the same school together ever since.”
The Robinson graduates have a cast of characters with personalities that range from outspoken to laid back to serious and comedic. Malik Robinson, Gentry’s class president and self-proclaimed leader of the family joked with his cousins Friday, “I’m going to get a diploma and the rest of y’all are going to get a certificate of completion.” Arian Robinson, the slightest in stature but the most talkative, asserted herself as the spokesperson for the family. She outlined what the eleven like to do when they are all gathered in one place. “Growing up together, we played kickball, took trips together, and just were around one another.”
This family is quite popular among their peers and teachers at Gentry. But nothing says popularity like being voted Mr. Gentry or Miss Gentry and yes, prominent figures in Mr. Gentry and Miss Gentry contests hailed from the Robinson family. Arian Robinson and Curtiso Jennings were First Attendants for Miss and Mr. Gentry, respectively. “It’s a big honor to be recognized by your friends and classmates,” said Curtiso. “Running for Mr. Gentry was something that I wanted to do for my senior year.”
Jada and Jordan Ross are twin sisters who have shared the love and closeness of their cousins since early childhood. Following graduation, the immediate plan is simple. “We plan to have a party and invite more of our friends,” said Jada. “We might plan a trip somewhere as well.”
As this family has enjoyed the comfort and security of knowing others are just a classroom away, down the hall or just across the room, they also know that graduation means that some will be taking paths that might now allow for seeing their cousins as much as before. Cousins Keandrea Smith and Ny’asia Robinson will be joining one another this fall at Northwest Community College. Five of the family members have plans of going to Mississippi Delta Community College. Cousin De’Andre Briscoe is undecided about his next step. “I’m going to miss having everyone nearby,” Briscoe said. “Every time a few of us are together, somebody says, ‘there go those Robinsons.’”
“We ran the school,” Briscoe joked.
As the graduates reflect and look toward the future, it appears for now that only Malik has plans of staying in the area. “Malik just loves Moorhead,” Jada joked.
“Whenever we do start going our separate ways and doing our own thing, I think I’m going to be the most emotional,” Arian said. “I just love my cousins.”
And their Aunt Dominque who organized the group has a child that doesn’t graduate until 2023. “We are a family that stays together and prays together,” Dominique said. “And we laugh, joke, fuss, and make up. That’s what family is all about.”
