Did you know that one of our students here at Northgate is only four and a half years old — and is graduating this year?

While that may sound impossible, it’s the reality for senior Elizabeth Meyer, part of a rare group known as “leaplings,” people born on Feb. 29.

“Since elementary school, when I share something about myself, this is what I say for icebreakers,” Meyer said. She added that she has never met anyone else who shares her birthday.

Backing up to some learning that many learn in elementary school, why is there an extra day added every four years?

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum explains the time that is added annually to the regular 365-day calendar year: “365 is actually a rounded number. It takes Earth 365.242190 days to orbit the Sun, or 365 days 5 hours 48 minutes and 56 seconds,” according to information from the museum. “This ‘sidereal’ year is slightly longer than the calendar year, and that extra 5 hours 48 minutes and 56 seconds needs to be accounted for somehow. If we didn’t account for this extra time, the seasons would begin to drift.”

Meyer does not know anyone who shares her birthday, so just how rare is this date?

According to a report by CBS News, Feb. 29 is the rarest birthday because it occurs only once every four years, giving people born on this day a 1 in 1,461 chance, compared to the typical 1 in 365 for other days, with less than 0.1% of the world’s population sharing this unique date.

“I just turned 18, but I’ve only had four birthdays… so I’m 4½,” said Meyer, born on February 29, 2008.

For Meyer, February 29 is a truly special occasion, as it is the only chance to celebrate her birthday on its actual date. “The last time I got to celebrate my real birthday was my sweet 16,” she said. “I got my license, a fancy dinner and a car, so that was exciting.”

In years when the extra day isn’t on the calendar, Meyer typically celebrates on March 1, especially for legal reasons tied to turning a new age. 

“Everyone considers it March 1, because celebrating a day early wouldn’t be legal,” she said, referring to turning 18.

She added that her 12th and 16th birthdays have been her favorites so far. Looking ahead, Meyer is unsure how she will celebrate her next birthday. 

“I’ll be in college for my 20th, so I have no idea what I’ll be doing,” she said.