By LaTunya Evans, Communications Specialist
Derrell, Allyson, and Alexis Totten are ecstatic to graduate from Mississippi Valley State University on Saturday, December 16, 2023. While the three are glad to celebrate this fantastic accomplishment together, graduating from college will not be the first thing they have done together.
Completing milestones and celebrating accomplishments together is very common for the trio because they are not only siblings but triplets. They were the first set of triplets in their family on both sides, which brought their mom, Ayanna Totten, to disbelief.
"She had to get three different opinions after discovering she was carrying triplets," said Allyson. "We were the first triplets in the family on both sides, so our mom said she needed another opinion because that was rare," added Alexis.
Although their mom did not believe that she was pregnant with triplets, her doubt was quickly proven false when she gave birth to them. On Thursday, April 5, 2001, the Totten triplets were born to Darrell and Ayanna Totten in Memphis, Tenn.; the triplets were the last of their five children.
Of the three, Derrell was born first. Although he was the eldest, he did not feel like an older brother to the girls. "Being the oldest of the three does not have a specific feeling. It feels normal because they don't listen to me. I have no seniority over them. I am their brother," Derrell said, laughing.
However, each sister believes they gave more of the older triplet energy over the other two. When asked who acted more like the older triplet, both girls responded, "Me" in unison.
Amused at the response, Alexis asked Derrell if she acted like the oldest. Derrell responded, "No, you just tell everyone what to do." "I am practically the oldest because I run everything. If people need to handle business with us, they come to me because they know I will gather my siblings and make it happen," rebutted Alexis as she giggled.
Regardless of which sister acted the oldest, they always encouraged their brother to do their chosen activities, including hosting birthday parties.
"I never wanted birthday parties growing up," explained Derrell. "I was forced to have birthday parties because my sisters always wanted one. I never cared to have them because I only wanted to play video games," he added.
While Derrell did not want birthday parties, the girls did. Alexis recalled enjoying their parties because she celebrated them with her siblings. "Having a joined birthday party was great because we knew even if we did not have friends to attend, we always had each other there," she explained.
As they grew older, coordinating for their birthday became a must. "Every year for our birthday, we pick a color, and we wear that color for our birthday. It is a tradition for us now," said Alexis.
Matching and coordinating clothing was not new to the triplets because they had dressed that way as children. As they grew into their personalities, they decided to find their own styles and ways to dress.
"Since growing into our personalities, we have changed how we dress. We will match if we must, but we mostly wear what we like," stated Alexis. She added, "My sister is more of the bold child. She has more piercings and tattoos."
According to Alexis, she and Allyson did not have similar personalities. "Allyson is more outgoing out of all of us. I am more shy, and my brother just be here," said Alexis.
Although the two did not have the same personalities and dressed differently, people still managed to confuse them. "Even if we dress differently, like have different hairstyles or wear different clothes, people always confuse me with Alexis and vice versa," said Allyson.
For Allyson, this was the only thing that made being a triplet annoying. "It is fun being a triplet, but sometimes it is not. Every time I go somewhere, I do not have my own identity. Everyone thinks I am my sister everywhere I go. When I am out, all I hear is, 'Hey, Alexis.' I look at them like, 'I am not Alexis," explained Allyson. Alexis nodded in agreement.
Not only did people outside the family mistake Allyson and Alexis for each other, but their family members did, too. "My mom said that Alexis and I had to wear our wristbands from the hospital until we were three because she could not tell us apart," said Allyson.
As they grew older, their mom became more sure about who was who, but their dad continued to confuse them. She said, "Our dad still confused us. Sometimes, he sees me and says, 'Alexis.' I then say, 'Alexiiss, where are you?'
Allyson and Alexis' similar faces sometimes confused their triplet brother. "When I don't know which one I'm talking to, I just call them 'girl'," explained Derrell.
Since Allyson and Alexis resembled each other the most, many people were unaware they were triplets. According to them, people figured that Derrell was only their brother, not their triplet. "Most people call us twin and call him Derrell by himself," she said. Alexis added, "He isn't with us, so most people think he is just our brother who attends the same school."
Even while the girls were out enjoying themselves, people would ask them if they were twins. They would tell them they were triplets, and people would be surprised. "When we say we are triplets, people do not believe us. We go through this every day. They are always shocked," explained Alexis. Allyson continued, "When they learn we are triplets, they want to know more about us, they want us to talk at the same time, or they want to see pictures."
In high school, being triplets made them popular. "In high school, everyone thought we were celebrities because it was three of us. Everyone knew us, but we did not know them. We were shy, so we were like popular loners," said Allyson.
This popularity quickly transferred to college as some people learned that the Totten Triplets would attend MVSU.
"Sometimes I feel famous here. When people learn our last name, they're like, 'Oh, that's you all on the stadium?' I respond, 'No, that's my uncle, but that's our last name'," Allyson said.
Alexis agreed to having that same experience. She said, "Yes when they see Totten, they're like, 'Willie Totten is some kin to y'all.' Im like, 'Yes, that's my uncle. Willie Totten is my uncle'."
Being the shy triplet, Alexis said that the attention sometimes made her uncomfortable. "People knew us before we came to the school. I was curious to know how they knew us already. They would walk up to us and speak; sometimes, I would be scared. You never know what people are trying to do to you when they're quickly walking up on you," she explained.
After learning that the people only wanted to speak to her, Alexis said she would be relieved. Despite the unexpected popularity, Alexis said she enjoyed her time at MVSU. "It has been enjoyable. I am sad that I will leave some friends when I graduate," she said.
While at MVSU, the triplets said they made many memories and completed many goals. One particular dream the triplets shared was to join a fraternity and sorority, which all of them did.
"Our mom motivated us all to join a Greek organization. We have many members of our family who are a part of Greek Life, so they were all waiting on us to join," Alexis explained.
Alexis joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in Spring 2021, Derrell joined Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. in Spring 2022, and Allyson joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in Spring 2023.
As told by Alexis, they decided to figure out which organization was best for them and joined. She said, "We chose which best fit us and went the right way."
For Derrell, his decision was finalized by one influential person. "The reason I chose my fraternity was because of Kylon Windfield. He is a part of the same fraternity, and he used to tell me I should join," he said.
After Allyson joined her sorority, she and Alexis were so excited because Greek Life was the only thing they did not have in common. "I was so used to doing everything with my sister, so when I crossed before her, I was excited because this was what I wanted, but I was sad that I could not do it with my sister," said Alexis. She continued, " When I used to go to Greek events, I went with my sorority sisters. It was fun, but I knew it would be better with my sister."
Since both girls had joined the same sorority, their paraphernalia had to be bought in two. "We have a lot of AKA things alike. We have to buy it in different colors because my sister will take it and make it her own," said Allyson. Alexis agreeingly said, "Yes, I went to the Regional Conference, and when I saw things I liked, I bought two because I knew my sister would want mine."
Even Derrell was familiar with the sisters taking each other's clothes. "They're always arguing about who stuff is who. All I hear is, 'Allyson, this is mine?' 'No, Alexis, that is mine," he said.
Despite minor feuds over clothes, none would trade being a triplet.
"I could not imagine being a triplet or not being a triplet with the two siblings I have. I love my sister and brother," said Alexis.
As their time at MVSU ends, the trio has different plans. "I will be graduating with my bachelor’s in social work, so after this, I want to get my license and master's degree. With my career field, I know I will have to have more degrees to make more money," said Alexis.
Derrell also considered going back to school for a higher degree. "I am going with the flow of things now, but I know I will return to school in August. I do want to receive my masters," he explained.
Since Allyson's major changed, she plans to find more careers that best fit her. "I originally wanted to be a police officer, so I majored in Criminal Justice. After living in Memphis, I quickly decided that being one was not for me, so I changed my major and future career," Allyson said as she laughed. She continued, "I used to see my grandfather behind the desk at the police station and figured I could do that one day. I learned he was promoted to that position, so I lost interest."
The three of them did agree that they enjoyed their time in Itta Bena, but they knew it was time for them to return to Memphis after graduation. "We have enjoyed visiting and connecting with friends and family in Itta Bena, but it is time to go home. It is time for us to return to Memphis," said Alexis.
According to the three of them, their family will have a graduation party to celebrate after their graduation ceremony, and then they will head home.