While few students have World Animal Day, October 4, marked on their calendars, six students at Armijo have a reason to look forward to it because it just happens to be their birthday, too.

Leonardo Silva Andrade only learned about the connection recently, but he’s glad to know it. “It’s pretty cool, especially because I love all kinds of animals,” he said. Audrey Newton had a similar experience. “It’s nice because I love animals, especially aquatic animals,” she said.

While Gabrielle Aguilar already knew that her birthday was the same day that Russia launched Sputnik, she was excited to learn about the association between her birthday and World Animal Day. “I think it’s nice because I can celebrate

two things that are pretty important, animals and, for me, personally my birthday.” Juan Diego Villalon Braffith was also glad to find that he shared his birthday with this special day.

Now that they are familiar with the doubly-special day, many of these students admitted that it was a positive thing with lots of opportunity. “I will probably participate by playing with some animals or something,” said Villalon.

Silva said that he will “probably spend time with my animals at home and take my dogs out for a walk.”

Aguilar is considering using art to celebrate. “I might draw a few animals that are important to habitats or are endangered,” she said.

When your birthday lands on World Animal Day, it is important to acknowledge the best animals. “My single favorite animal was my dog Princess because she was such a loyal and caring companion,” said Silva. Newton said that her favorite animal is a sloth. While these four share a birthday with each other as well as with Kevin Sayas and Devlon Kayarath, they are very different from each other, with different goals and different interests.

Silva is considering joining the Navy’s videography program if he doesn’t become a professional boxer. He currently plays water polo and will join wrestling in winter. He also serves as the secretary of the Multimedia Academic Club (MAC). For fun, he likes to play video games, write, read poetry, and more.

Newton, who has two brothers at Armijo, plans to go to either UC Davis or Sac State when she graduates from Armijo. She is also involved in Water Polo and plans to be on the swim team in the spring.

Villalon has not committed to sports at Armijo yet, but he does enjoy skateboarding. He isn’t sure if he will end up at college after graduating, but he did admit to an appreciation of graffiti.

Aguilar intends to go into Graphic Design, Freelance Art or 2d Animation. “I don’t have concrete plans, but I might start off with community college and do it slowly on the side,” she said. Like Silva, she is also involved in the Multimedia Academy and MAC.

Sayas and Kayarath were unavailable for comment.