Local woman celebrates leap day by turning ’17’ years old

By Jazmine Knight
Being born on leap day might sound unappealing to some since it only comes around every four years, but for one St. Joseph woman, it makes her birthday all the more special.
Claudia Tapia De Dominguez will be enjoying a dinner with her children and loved ones for her β17thβ birthday on Feb. 29.
Born in 1956 in Mexico City, the 68-year-old said she loves her leap year birthday.
βEverybody remembers you. Itβs such a special date,β Dominguez said.
Whenever she tells people when her birthday is, she says many are surprised and donβt believe her.
βYeah, they are surprised. They believe that nobody can be born on that date. Itβs like impossible,β she said.
Dominguez said she always gets many compliments and congratulations because of her special birthday.
Although her real birthday only rolls around every four years, Dominguez wouldnβt change it even if she could.
βBecause I need to take away my years to make me feel younger,β she said.
In years when leap day doesnβt come around, Dominguez celebrates her birthday on Feb. 27, which is her brother and sisterβs birthday.
One of the biggest perks for her is that she can have a three-day celebration.
βWhen we donβt have the (leap) year, I celebrate with them on the 27th,β she said. βBut many people celebrate me on the 28th, on the 1st. It doesnβt matter.β
βThatβs another thing I like about it,β she continued. βI celebrate on the 27th with my family, the 28th, the 1st. Well, you have three-day celebrations.β