Archived Story
She’s 12 on 12-12-12: Natchez girl celebrates once-in-a-lifetime event
Published 12:04am Wednesday, December 12, 2012
By JULIA NAGY
NATCHEZ — Savanna Clardy’s dream came true when she went to Disney World this year, but her once-in-a-lifetime day just rolled around today.
The Clardy family was celebrating a few big birthdays during their trip to the most magical place on earth in November. Mom Tanya is turning 30 in February. Her husband Darrell turned 40 this past Friday. Their daughter Kalynn turned 5 in November. But the big one is Savanna’s birthday. She turns 12 today, on 12-12-12.
“I think it’s very cool,” Tanya said. “We didn’t realize at the time that’s how it would work out.”
Savanna, who is a student at Cathedral Elementary, is extra excited about the novelty for today as well.
“All my birthdays are extra special because I’m extra special,” Savanna said. “It makes me feel extra, extra, extra special.”
Tanya said she tries to vary up the annual birthday celebrations, including things like the Disney World trip. She often plans out birthday parties months in advance.
“It’s one day out of the year that’s yours,” Tanya said. “My mom did it for us. She always wanted to make it special.”
For Savanna’s father Darrell, today is a reminder his little girl is growing up.
“I want her to quit growing so she’ll stay my little girl,” Darrell said. “As a matter of fact, this is a good place to stop.”
Along with a trip to Disney World, Savanna received another special present, a handmade journal from her uncle who is currently serving in the military in Kuwait.
She previously received a journal from him when he was stationed in Iraq.
Savanna said she enjoys writing, often journaling short stories. She puts on plays and skits with her friends and cousins, decorates the house like a theater, duct taping fabric to the ceilings like the curtains of a stage. She creates tickets for her parents to come to a movie night or to see one of her shows.
“She’s very creative,” Tanya said. “She’s a very bright girl with a bit of a dry sense of humor.”
Savanna said she writes sad and happy short stories and a few poems here and there. One time she was mad at her mom, so she wrote a mad story.
She enjoys reading. “The Hunger Games” has been one of her favorite series so far. She’s now tackling the “Kingdom Keepers,” a series she received while she was at Disney World. She said she’s a fan of all sorts of books, sometimes mysteries, but sometimes they get too confusing.
“I think I want to be an author when I grow up,” Savanna said. “It’s just fun for me.”
Tanya said Savanna is a sweetheart.
“She’s good with her sister,” Tanya said. “She loves her friends. I’m very blessed with both of my children.”
