Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008

Benton City girl feeling lucky about No. 11

By Sara Schilling, Herald staff writer

Emily Thornton has a special connection to the number 11.

She was born on Nov. 11 at exactly 11:11 p.m.

"When my mom first told me, I was like, 'No way!' " said Emily, a fifth-grader in Benton City.

And that's not all: Today Emily turns 11.

Her lucky number converging in so many ways is making the little girl feel pretty good. She has a birthday party planned where she and some pals will play dodge ball and other games.

It's supposed to start precisely at 1:11 p.m.

Family members say she deserves a fun time. She's a smart, caring girl who works hard at everything she does, they said.

"She is one of these very bright, bubbly people. She's very intelligent, nothing gets past her. She loves people and she's very empathetic," said her grandma, Corlet Thornton of Benton City.

Emily's parents are Dave and Maria Thornton, who both work in the Kiona-Benton City School District. Emily also has an older brother and sister.

She likes playing the piano and baseball and has covered second base, center field and outfield for her Little League team.

She doesn't have a long list of items she wants for her birthday but is looking forward to spending time with family and friends, she said.

Emily shares her birthday with Veterans Day, which is celebrated Nov. 11 because that's when in 1918 an armistice effectively ended World War I.

The holiday was known as Armistice Day and originally was meant to honor the veterans of that war. But its name eventually was changed and it became a time to honor all servicemen and women.

Being born on the national holiday means Emily gets a day off from school.

"I keep telling everybody, it's not because of Veterans Day, it's because of my birthday," she joked.

But the true meaning isn't lost on her. Her vanilla birthday cake with strawberry mousse filling will have an American flag on top.

"It's a very special day for the people that have died for us and have given their lives for our freedom," Emily said. "Having my birthday on that day is very special."

w Sara Schilling: 582-1402; sschilling@tricityherald.com