Have you ever wanted your birthday to be on a holiday? There are good and bad things about that situation. Three of Armijo’s students can attest to the challenges of having their birthday on a day when everyone is celebrating. They celebrate their big day on Christmas Eve.

Brianda Robadilla Ortega said that she likes having her birthday on Christmas Eve because she gets to spend two days with all her family. The bad thing about it, though, is the same as the good thing, because being around her family can be annoying, too. In reality, having her birthday on this day does not change anything but the time she spends with her brother, another Armijo student.

Those who know about Robadilla Ortega’s special birthday probably know her well but, for those who don’t, here are some interesting details: She hopes to Stanford and major in genetics. She may seem into science but she also has good taste in music. She likes to listen to lots of pop music.

Ray’quan Marchbanks loves that his birthday is on Christmas Eve because he gets gifts twice in the same week. His uncle has the same birthday and, ever since he got arrested in April and then released on Christmas Eve, he’s brought Marchbanks presents for the birthday they share.

Marchbanks likes to keep busy. He is played on the football team and hopes to play tennis in the spring, and maybe even baseball. He likes hip-hop, rap, metal and jazz music and has big plans for after graduation. He wants to go to any college nearby or to The University of Lyons, in France.  “Stay positive, stay in school,” he said.

The third student who celebrates his birthday on Christmas Eve is Lawrence Tooley. What he likes most about this is that he gets to enjoy two days in a row. The bad thing, he says, is that he kind of half celebrates each, but when they are separate people can celebrate both to 100% of their capacity.

His birthday season is also his sports season as he plays basketball and he likes to listen to Rap music when he has the time. Like his counterparts, if he had the choice to celebrate his birthday on a different day, he said that he wouldn’t change it.