Cherubs whose birthdays are in July celebrate away from home and in a new environment. The journalism cherubs ensure that everyone has a fun and exciting birthday.

When the acceptance letters came in the mail, the five cherubs with July birthdays said they were concerned with how they would celebrate.

“I was nervous that my birthday would not be fun because I didn’t know everyone, but everyone was really amiable and it made my birthday a really special experience,” said Matthew Silverman, of Connecticut.

For every cherub birthday, the community associates buy a cake. After check-in, everyone stays downstairs in the common room and sings happy birthday.

Lauren Kravec, of Florida, celebrates her birthday at Flat Top

“It was really cool celebrating with all the cherubs and eating the cake with everyone just solidified it,” said Jennifer Calfas, of California. “I’ve never had a birthday with that many people, and it was fun getting to celebrate it with all of my new friends who are just as awesome as my friends at home.”

Although the CAs put in a lot of time making sure everyone’s birthday is great, the cherubs also become a family and decide the best way to celebrate together.

“I noticed when I was walking by Jen Calfas’s room that there was a huge thing of wrapping paper on her door,” said CA Lindsey Kratochwill, of Florida. “I think the cherubs do a really good job of making people feel appreciated on their birthdays as well.”

Often, a group of cherubs will take the birthday boy or girl out to a birthday lunch or dinner.

Lauren Kravec, of Florida, said her friends took her out to Flat Top for dinner the night after her birthday.

“By taking me out to dinner they showed how much they cared,” Kravec said. “They told the chef to bring me out a cake, but Flat Top brought me out a little bowl with rice and a candle instead. It was really cute.”

No matter how the cherubs celebrate their birthdays, they enjoy their special day with new friends.