KATHLEEN -- Anna Burke had a bowling party for her birthday. Hannah Singletary went to a restaurant with family, and Brett Stamback planned to stay up all night playing video games.
But for the three Mossy Creek Middle School sixth-graders, Wednesday was anything but an ordinary birthday. The three classmates all turned 12 on Dec. 12, 2012.
The students’ teacher, and Hannah’s mother, Tambra Singletary, realized about a month ago that she had three students who would celebrate their 12th birthdays on 12-12-12. Furthermore, they were all on the same team -- students are separated into groups that generally stay together from class to class.
“I thought it was unusual,” Singletary said about her daughter’s birthday. “But to have three on the same team was unique.”
Tuesday, students in Floyd Jolley’s class talked about how special it was to have three classmates turning 12 on the much-hyped numerical date.
“We mentioned that it will be the last time for a long time,” Jolley said.
While their birthday drew a little more attention this year, the students stuck to their birthday traditions. Anna’s mother, Selena Burke, brought lunch to her daughter -- a Greek salad and cappuccino. Burke realized about two weeks ago the added significance of her daughter’s birthday.
“She is really excited,” Burke said. “She said, ‘Mom, that just doesn’t happen.’ ”
Anna, who likes to play soccer and wants to be a veterinarian, chatted with friends as she entered the cafeteria. She was quick to introduce her friend, Brett -- who wants to be a professional football player when he grows up -- as “the birthday boy.”
As the three sat down for lunch around 12:12 p.m., Principal Andy Gentry surprised them by calling them to the stage and asking students to sing “Happy Birthday.”
A crowded cafeteria cheered and shouted the song, as the three 12-year-olds smiled on stage. Later, Singletary handed out chocolate cupcakes.
The school recognizes each student’s birthday, but Gentry thought something special was in order for the three.
“It only comes around once in a lifetime,” Gentry said about the date. “And these are three great kids.”
