Nationwide — Gabriel, Ethanael, and Janelle Morency, African American triplets who survived a high-risk birth, have recently graduated together from Oakwood University, an HBCU in Huntsville, Alabama. Their mother, Martine, says she feels “blessed” to see them achieve this milestone.
During the pregnancy, doctors warned that carrying triplets carries serious risks for both the mother and the babies. They advised fetal reduction, saying the chances of all three surviving were low. Morency and the father chose to continue the pregnancy, leaning on faith through the process.
“The doctor told us that a triplet’s pregnancy doesn’t usually come to fruition,” she recalled, according to People. “And there was a high likelihood that it would be twins, and so they recommended that we do a fetal reduction, and we said, ‘No.'”
The triplets were born at 30 weeks and three days. Gabriel, Ethanael, and Janelle arrived prematurely but survived the difficult delivery. Their birth marked a major turning point after months of uncertainty and medical concern.
Years later, all three enrolled at Oakwood University. While they shared the same campus, each chose different majors and built separate routines. Over time, they developed their own academic paths and personal identities.
Janelle said college helped them grow into independent individuals. She said, “When we got to college, even though we were on the same campus, being of different majors, we really got to kind of grow on our own, find our own independence, our own footing, our own identity.”
Gabriel shared a similar view, saying, “It was interesting seeing my siblings and I branch out and become kind of our own person.”
Despite different schedules and goals, the siblings stayed closely connected throughout college. Ethanael said, “Before we had anybody else, there were our siblings. And so we had each other there to help each other through Oakwood. And of course, we made friends along the way and found our community.”
After graduation, their paths split again. Janelle plans to pursue trauma surgery, Ethanael will continue with a master’s in cybersecurity, and Gabriel will study electrical engineering at Johns Hopkins University.
“We have watched them grow and mature and do all the things that man said was probably going to be impossible,” Morency said. “So we just feel so blessed because we feel that this has been a gift that God has given us.”