Turning 16 is always a birthday to remember. And celebrating it on Feb. 29 is a birthday few would forget.
 
Zoie Joseph, Bluffton High School freshman, will do just that. She’ll blow out either 4 or 16 candles on Feb. 29. That’s because she’s a leap year baby.
 
She hopes to celebrate this year, appropriately as any 4-year-old. She wants a Strawberry Short Cake with 4 candles and a bunch of toys gifts to open.
 
Zoie is involved in several activities inside and outside of school. Her course list includes: English I, Algebra, Science, Health (first semester), Gym (current semester), Latin I, World History and Freshman Choir.
 
She’s plays volleyball and runs track. In junior high she competed in the long jump, and was second in the NWC meet. She also competed in the high jump and 200- and 400-m runs. She’s also in Latin Club.
 
After high school she wants to become a military interpreter. She’s inspired to do this because her dad was in the Navy.
 
“I like the outdoors,” she says. “I have a hunting license and have gone hunting with my dad.”
 
To her credit she says she’s shot two bucks and one doe, and used a bow and arrow for one of those hits.
 
Zoie’s musical tastes take her to Pandora Radio, where she has about 20 stations. “Mostly today’s hits and country are my favorites,” she says.
 
We couldn’t help but wonder what might be the worst movie she ever saw.
 
“I saw Ride Along 2 in a theatre. It was really bad. I was expecting something different because I liked the first movie,” she said.
 
If touring the world were an option, Zoie would like to visit Italy. “It sounds so interesting and I love Italian food,” she said.
 
We talked with Zoie in 2012 when she was a fifth grader about to turn 3 (or 12). At time she told us that when friends asked what day she was born she usually replied Feb. 28 because it was easier.
 
Maybe this year she’ll tell them Feb. 29, and stress her 4^th birthday, just for a kicker.
 
To read about Zachary Basinger, click here.
To read about Reagan Mittendorf, click here.