Is a birthday always happy if you’re at boarding school and hundreds, or thousands, of miles away from your real home?

The Willistonian went out to see how boarders spend their birthdays at school.

Senior Jack Phelan is from East Longmeadow, Mass, but lives in Ford Hall. When his birthday came around on April 6 last year, about 15 of his friends surprised him by taking him out to Nini’s.

Jack said, “It’s tough having my birthday at school because my friends from home and my family are not around, but I am grateful for my friends here at Williston who celebrate it with me,” he said.

Since parents are not around to give presents to their children on their birthday, students sometimes get surprised by their friends with dinner or even some gifts.

Jake Durocher, a senior from Rochester, Mass, said, “Obviously there’s better ways of spending it, but it is special no matter where you are, birthdays are only once a year.” Jake (November 16 birthday) added, “I want my friends to get me a grey T-Shirt , forehead wrinkle remover, three Copies of ‘Good Will Hunting,’ and a Tom Brady replica.”

Tori Palumbo celebrated her freshman year birthday, March 7 with her entire hockey team.

“Usually my birthday falls right when spring break starts,” Tori ’18, commented. “I was on campus for my birthday freshman year when the ice hockey team made the playoffs. We had cake and our team was all together.

Tori said, “I have surprised a couple of my friends for their birthdays. We put signs and a bunch balloons in their room, it was really fun.”

All students need is a little extra love for the day to make their birthday enjoyable at school. Many students receive small care packages that their parents send them containing gifts.

Jake Durocher said, “My parents last year sent me a present last year and it was covered in Easter paper and inside was a nice care package. I got a Dunkin’ Donuts card, Nerf football, candy, a golf hat, and a $20 bill. I was pumped.”

Although, students are able to enjoy their birthday still at school, others are disappointed about not being able to spend their birthday with their friends and family at home.

Joey Ford ’19 said that he does not enjoy having his birthday during the school year, especially when he has to sit in class. He would rather be home, in East Longmeadow throwing himself a nice big birthday party. Joey’s birthday is February 22.

However, there are better ways to spend your birthday than being stuck in your dorm room, students make the best of it and enjoy it with each other.

Tori said, “I would rather spend my birthday with friends because it is always a fun time to be together and everyone is happy.”