Feb. 29: Local Leapers jump four years ahead

As Feb. 29 makes its every fourth year appearance on calendars everywhere, local Leapers – people born on Leap Day – share their stories of birthday candle conundrums.

Local Leapers

Julie Figiel

Sparta

13th birthday, 52 years

When she celebrates on a normal year schedule, Julie Figiel said she likes to mark the occasion the day before.

“I like the smile it puts on people’s faces, as well as people asking, ‘What day do you celebrate?’” she said. “I lean towards Feb. 28. The reason is my grandmother’s birthday is Feb. 28 and I never got to meet her, so I feel like it keeps me connected with her.”

Alayna Thompson

Dingmans Ferry

1st birthday, 4 years

“In the hospital, when she was born, they gave all the babies froggy hats,” Noelle Thompson, Alayna’s mom, said. “She had a little froggy bonnet on (when she came home).”

Turning one in Leap years and four in regular years, Alayna said she’s having a Disney princesses themed birthday party this year.

“She loves her birthday,” Noelle said. “It’s definitely unique, so it fits her.”

Makayla Van Blarcom

Vernon

2nd birthday, 8 years

For a little girl turning two slash eight, Makayla has big plans for her birthday this year.

“I might go to the city with my friend and then go to the American Girl store,” she said. “I like the (dolls) that look like me.”

Mom Amy said this year is the first year her daughter realizes she has a date on the calendar.

“Now it’s exciting!” she said. “It’s actually there!”

Quentin Adams

Fredon

3rd birthday, 12 years

The number 29 runs in the Adams family, with multiple family members being born on the 29th day of respective months.

Only Quentin, however, was born on Feb. 29.

Despite his unusual birthday, he’s fairly nonchalant about it.

“It doesn’t really change a lot about my life,” Quentin said. “It’s just I have a delayed birthday.”

Kevin Garrity

Byram

4th birthday, 16 years

Turning four years old this year, Kevin Garrity said he can’t wait to get his driver’s license.

His parents, however, are a little reticent about their four-year-old taking the wheel.

“It seems a little irresponsible,” Mom Ginette said laughingly.

With a heart for community service, Kevin said he would like to become a police officer and serve his hometown of Byram after graduation.

“I’ve always wanted to be there to help people,” Kevin said.

David Hazzard

Goshen

14th birthday, 56 years

David Hazzard said he goes by his Leap Year age, not by his actual age.

“When I goof around with the kids, my wife says, ‘Act your age!’” he said. “I am!”

One of his favorite parts about being a Leap Day baby, he said, is the way his kids would look forward to getting close to his age at their own birthdays.

His nephew also did a little Leap Year math that he thought was pretty special.

“Long before we had computers, he calculated out every year I would have a birthday,” Hazzard said. “He would say, ‘Oh you’re going to be 10 this year, you’re going to be 11 this year.’ He did the whole thing manually.”

Keegan Samson

Matamoras

3rd birthday, 12 years

Due on St. Patrick’s Day, Keegan Samson arrived early enough to make it for Leap Day in 2008.

“He was due March 17 and he came early,” Mom Lisa said. “We try to make it special for him. On the non-Leap years, we try to do a dual celebration and celebrate both days (Feb. 28 and March 1).”

When he does have a birthday on the calendar, Lisa said the family likes to go for a little bigger celebration.

Spending his birthday this year in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Keegan said he’s excited.

“(I’m planning on) going down to the ocean and seeing my grandparents and my aunt and my uncle,” he said.

Rowan Alexander

Washingtonville

1st birthday, 4 years

Youngster Rowan Alexander has been more places in his four years than a lot of people go in a lifetime.

For his first birthday this year, Rowan is doing something special that most people have never heard of.

“(I’m) swimming with piggies!” he said.

Mom Stefanie explained they’re going on a cruise for Leap Day babies from all over the world.

“There’s about 80 other people going,” she said. “It’s going to the Bahamas so we can swim with the pigs. We tried to find something really special to do, since he waited so long to have his first birthday.”

Brenda Schultz

Pine Island

13th birthday, 52 years

“When there’s no Leap Year, it’s like I don’t have a birthday. It doesn’t exist,” Brenda Schultz said. “And most years, when I do get a birthday, we get a blizzard, so I don’t get to do anything.”

Schultz is hoping for no snow this year, so she can don her customized Leap Year birthday crown, get her nails done with frog nail art, and head over to Angry Orchard to celebrate.

A meal at Texas Roadhouse is planned as well, following her visit to the cidery.

Emily and Mark Fagerston

Sparta

2nd birthday, 8 years

As fraternal twins, Emily and Mark Fagerston couldn’t have more different opinions on what having a Leap Day birthday means.

“Not really,” Mark said, when asked if he felt special.

Emily flashed a smile and nodded.

Mom Samantha said having Leap Day twins was pretty special.

“As they get older, they can choose their own day,” she said. “Emily could choose Feb. 28, Mark could choose March 1 to have his birthday, or they could switch it around.”

Inez Calcagno

Vernon

11th birthday, 44 years

This year, to mark the appearance of Feb. 29 on the calendar, Inez Calcagno and her husband are jetting to Las Vegas for fun in the Leap Day sun.

“It’s our first time away alone, since we’ve been married,” she said. “No kids!”

Calcagno said that, while she and her husband are not big gamblers, as they work hard for their money, there are so many things to do for entertainment in Las Vegas.

If she gets carded while out celebrating, Calcagno said she has ID to prove her age.

“I’ll show it to you,” she said. “It says Feb. 29!”

James Brugna

Lake Hopatcong

3rd birthday, 12 years

James Brugna’s Leap Day birthday plans were finalized and the big reveal came after a recent meeting of his school’s Ski Club at Mountain Creek in Vernon.

“He’s going to have his friends over to the house, and his favorite food is sushi, so we’re going to have a sushi party, and pizza for other kids,” Mom Gina VonHouwen Brugna said. “And we’re actually going to have a laser tag party at the house, but it’s going to be at night so it’s like a manhunt, capture the flag kind of thing.”

Most three year olds would be afraid of the dark, but James was all smiles at the news.