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Niles’ triple-double

Two sets of triplets graduate in Class of 2019

Tribune Chronicle / Bob Coupland Two sets of Niles McKinley High School triplets graduated Wednesday night at Packard Music Hall in Warren. From left are triplets Elena, Mario and Jolena Gioiello and triplets Gabriella, Nicolas and Julliana Clementi, all 18. The six graduates have known each other since fifth grade. Elena and Mario Gioiello were two of seven valedictorians.

NILES — The Gioiello triplets and the Clementi triplets may have all graduated together from Niles McKinley High School on Wednesday, but their interests and plans for the future are all very different.

Mario, Elena and Jolena Gioiello — born New Year’s Eve 2000 — and Jullianna, Nicolas and Gabriella Clementi, born in September of the same year, were six of about 190 students in the Niles McKinley Class of 2019. The two sets of triplets have been attending school together since the fifth grade, said Jullianna Clementi, the “oldest” of her trio.

She said people are often surprised to find out she is a triplet, but being one doesn’t feel any different than having regular siblings.

“Except when we all read each others’ minds,” Mario Gioiello said jokingly.

Mario and Elena Gioiello are two of seven valedictorians for the Class of 2019, with 4.0 grade point averages. Their sister, Jolena, also sits near the top of the class with a 3.9 grade point average.

School counselor Julie Strollo said the siblings have been competitive with their grades and schedules. Mario and Elena said they both wanted to be valedictorian since they started high school.

Each gave a speech at their Wednesday night graduation at Packard Music Hall, with Mario’s focusing on remembering Niles, and Elena’s ending with the quote, “Never let success get to your head or failure get to your heart.”

Mario, who earned his pilot’s license from the Youngstown Airport in November, will be attending Kent State in the fall to study flight technology, with the hopes of one day becoming a commercial pilot. He said he is excited to graduate and attend a different school than his siblings, where he’ll get to meet many new people.

“It’ll be kind of different,” said Elena, who plans to attend Walsh University on a pre-dental track.

Jolena, who was involved in band and played tennis in high school, said she plans to study animal science at The Ohio State University to become a veterinary technician. She said she shadowed at a veterinary office and wasn’t bothered by the sometimes difficult aspects of the job.

Like the Gioiellos, the Clementi triplets have separate interests, which likely will lead them to different places.

“We don’t do anything the same sportswise or anything,” Jullianna said.

She said her mother once told her it was easier having triplets. The trio also has one older brother.

Gabriella, the “youngest,” said her passion has always been animals. She volunteered with the Animal Welfare League and Angels for Animals during high school, she said, and will be attending Kent State to study zoology.

“I want to end up in a zoo,” she said. “I don’t care where.”

Nicolas, who practiced welding at Trumbull Career and Technical Center for the past two years, now works for the city of Niles as a laborer. He plans to attend the police academy in a few years to become a police officer like his father.

Jullianna, a member of National Honor Society and homecoming queen, said she plans to pursue a pre-nursing track at Youngstown State University. She said someday, she would like to move south, where it’s warmer.

Although Jullianna said she and Gabriella are especially close and share many things — including clothes and a car — they are excited to pursue their individual paths.

“All six are going on different paths,” said Strollo, who said they were all kind, well-rounded students — a testament to their upbringings.

“They’ve been great leaders in the building,” said Niles McKinley Principal Tracie Parry. “They’re leaving a big hole in the student body.”

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