Seniors celebrate 18th birthdays in unique ways

Throughout the year, seniors here at Airport High School have been celebrating their 18th birthdays in unique ways, but students aren't the only ones who remember their birthdays being very emotional and exciting. From malls to restaurants and bowling alleys to clubs, seniors and teachers remember how they celebrated their 18th birthdays surrounded by family and friends.

When you turn 18 it is a big moment of realization. You realize that you are now starting to really live your life and make your own decisions. It may not seem as life-changing at first, but over time, you start seeing the major changes. But before the big day, you have to plan out exactly how you're going to celebrate it. Most people are excited to finally have more rights and for their voices to be heard and counted, while others really feel no different.

Many students here at Airport High School had mixed feelings about turning 18. Most feelings were of fear and excitement while others really didn't feel any different. The fact that they are going to be legal adults who have the right to do many things like vote or take charge of their own life makes people excited, but then the fact that they are going to have many more responsibilities and that they are going to have to learn to become more independent, makes students feel fearful and worried about their future.

Most students and teachers said they celebrate their birthdays with family and friends. The birthday parties were celebrated most times with family, and then with friends most people would celebrate by going out to the mall, restaurants, etc. Even though the celebrations were different with each person, it still had a unique and special meaning to each individual person celebrating it.

Cecilia Castillo, a senior here at Airport High School, stated that she had a birthday party with her family at her home, and then she “went out with friends to a bowling alley” and had fun. Turning 18 didn't really affect her at first but “after a while you realize you are not a little kid anymore and that you will now have a lot more responsibilities than what you used to because now you are considered an adult,” said Cecilia. It makes you “wish that you had lived your life more in the moment,” she said.

While some students feel like changes have already happened in their lives, others feel like their life has not changed much, like senior Tyler Smith, who stated that “[her] life really didn't feel any different” after turning 18. She was given “more responsibilities” but the “changes were not drastic.” She celebrated her birthday by going out with friends to the mall and shopping.

Students are not the only ones who celebrated their birthdays surrounded by family and friends. “I had a birthday party [for my 18th birthday],” Mrs.Jones, a current Google Applications teacher here at Airport High School, stated.” I was surrounded by all my family and friends,” she said. When asked what she would do if she could tell something to her younger self, she said that she would “take school more seriously [and] focus on school.”.

Depending on your characteristics, or your personality, the way you celebrate your 18th birthday is unique and special to you. Some people like to celebrate by throwing a big party with their family and make it an unforgettable day, while others like to just to relax and go out and have fun with their new rights and their friends.

Have you ever wondered why we celebrate birthdays, or where and when did it become a tradition? According to Reference.com, people celebrate birthdays in order to honor their birth and to signify a new year in their lives. Within the website, it also talks about how the Roman Pagan culture started celebrating birthdays and how birthday traditions that we still have today like the “Happy Birthday To You” song and the candles on a birthday cake started. The birthday song was created by two school teachers/sisters named Patty and Mildred J. Hill. The song was originally called “Good Morning to All” and was taught to preschoolers. It was composed of different lyrics. The traditions of candles on a birthday cake were practiced by the Romans. They would make cakes with candles to honor their moon god. Although the Romans started the tradition, it was not really popular until the Germans began doing it in the late 18th century.

Planning a big birthday party when you turn 18 can be frustrating. Planning where or how you will celebrate it can be stressing so don't do it alone. There are many party planners like Palmetto Party Planners (803-794-0010) and Dupre Catering and Events (803-748-4144) that can help you plan the party of your dreams.