The last few weeks have been the busiest in Dream Day history. We have had seven Dream Days in the mater of a few weeks. From getting the tickets to all the great events, to buying to items in memory boxes, to throwing a birthday party, we really have done it all.
Dean, a four year old at NPE, got to go to the zoo with his family. When we met him and his family he was so excited about the giraffe souvenir we got him that he almost forgot he would soon get to see one in real life. His father and brother were with him when we met at Brew52 and they were so kind and appreciative. Dean's Dad explained to Hailee and I how this was something they don't get the chance to do often. Kevin, also a young student at NPE, went to see his favorite show, PJ Masks, live and on stage at the Embassy Theatre in FortWayne. When we met him and his Mom it was amazing to see not only the smile on Kevin's face, but how thankful and excited his mom was that we were doing something for him and his class. James, another NPE student, is going to the Sports Legends Experience at the Children's Museum. His memory box includes a nice picture frame to put a picture in to help him remember his Dream Day forever, and a unique figurine of a baseball player. Samuel, a member of the same class as the other NPE kids, chose to go to the zoo as well. He loves joy, excitement, and turtles. His family expressed how much it means to them that we are taking the time to help and lift up not only Samuel but everyone else that is a part of Dream Day. Wyatt, in the same class as the afore mentioned, is going to Connersville to enjoy a Day out with Thomas. He gets to go on a train ride, his favorite thing, and this one is replicated after Thomas the Train, one of his famous TV shows. He also loves blankets, so Hailee and I took the time to hand make him his very own Dino-Blanket. His home life has been rocky, as expressed by his grandmother who takes care of him, and this Dream Day will be something special for all of them. Carter, from NPE, is going with his brother and family to Main Event, a place where he can eat good food, listen to great music, and play arcade games. Doing something like this will be a great experience. His family will have a day to be together and do what they enjoy. Elly, a girl in the NPE class, is going to go to Monkey Joe's on her birthday. She said she thought it was so cool that we wanted to do something for her. We hope the birthday, and overall Dream Day experience will be remembered fondly by her and her family. Ryan, an 18 year old student at New Palestine high school, is meeting firefighters and touring a firetruck that is coming to school just for him. Ryan loves firefighters, and wants to be one when grows up. I don't think anyone has told him about it, and we hope he will be surprised when we show him what is happening. Ryan is the type of kid that makes life better for those around him, and Hailee and I are pleased to do something for him. Last, but not least we have Nanika, a high schooler at New Pal. Her wish was something that sounds easy, an 18th birthday party, but given the ISTEP testing week at school changing the schedule, or inability to travel class rooms in lab, not having a space to host the party, and decorating to Nanika's artistic standards, we had our work cut out for us. This single event was something I will never for get. Members from every corner of our school came to celebrate with us. Cakehole donated a beautiful cake and cupcakes for free, and the resource room was transformed into a colorful party central. Nanika is never short of hugs, smiles, or pictures with her friends, and getting to show our love and appreciation for the ray of light she is was completely gratifying. With this post Hailee and I's run as presidents of Dream Day at New Pal will be over, and so will the countless fond memories that come with it. People talk about high school being the best years of your life, and I hope that isn't true so I have something to look forward to, but if the best I do with my life is help make people happy, help people feel appreciated, help people grow with their families, then that is all I could ask for. I will forever be changed because of this project. I mean that. Not many people at our school know what Dream Day is and they sure don't know Hailee and I are in charge of it. The world doesn't know Dream Day is a program, and they will never know Hailee and I were a part of it, and that is okay. We don't do this for ribbons with A+'s, we don't do this to be told good job, we don't do this for any reason other than to show people they are loved, and to remind them of the joy found in the little things of life. Dream Day is the best thing I have done with my life, and nobody will ever be able to take that from me.
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We have gotten 10 interest forms and permission slips returned to us by the families of NPE students. With this great number of participants we have encountered the struggle of planning with money. Currently there is no shortage of money, but we need to make sure there is enough money left after the first few Dream Days take place to finish all of them with equal quality and value. To help with this Hailee and I are working to get more donations, and asking restaurants such as Chick-Fil-A to give us gift cards. Contacting the parents is going well, we realized we did not completely communicate with them all the information they need. Why their children were selected, When the day will take place, and Who all goes on the trip with their child, are all common questions. We contact each parent personally and explain anything they are uncertain on. In the coming weeks as spring break comes, Hailee and I will still be emailing people and looking for ways to make Dream Day better. Below will be a sample of the emails we have with parents of students form NPHS Recently we have worked closely with the staff from New Palestine Elementary to institute the Project Dream Day program at the elementary school. The below form has been sent to the parents of the older students in Ms. Antle's class. The information will be used to create a dream that is special for each child who chooses to participate in. This week Hailee and I have worked with the administrative staff form New Palestine Elementary School to start Project Dream Day there. Hailee has a meeting on Monday of next week with the Special Needs teacher at NPE, and will discuss the logistics of starting it with their students. Hopefully we can get a few dreams in before graduation, and set up a connection for future leaders of this project to use.
Throughout second semester we plan to work with Mr. large and Mr. Fessler to spread "Project Dream Day" to other schools so we can get PDD started in other schools! In addition to this we are planning our two remaining dreams. A fire station trip for Ryan, and Nanika's 18th birthday party. As this project winds down, we are going to start working with Anna Doolin on a project to help raise awareness for Angelman Syndrome.
Danielle and her mother are going to see A Christmas Carol at Indianapolis Repertory Theatre after enjoying a meal at their favorite restaurant, Long Horn Steak House. As the end of the semester approached Dream Day seemed to come to halt, and I felt as though there was not anything left to do. However, this Dream Day came into view and is going to be a great last Dream before Christmas break.
continues Hailee and I are working Drew's Dream. We plan to give him his memory box this Friday evening. In addition to these exciting things, we will have four people attending the opening night of The Addams Family. Nanika will have her first experience with Dream Day when she and her "best buddy" attend the musical and enjoy the show from their reserved seats.
Dream Day is in full swing once again, and this time we are working with the class as a whole and Drew. We are organizing a night for the entire class to attend New Palestine High School's opening night of The Addams Family. These students will get to experience a great evening out with friends and watch a fun show. In addition to this, we got Drew tickets to the Colts game! He is a huge Colts fan so this should be a great opportunity for him and his family.
Hailee and I purchased tickets for the first Dream Day event. Tia will go to Indy Zoo with her family, and get to see a dolphin show. Dolphins are one of her favorite animals. After they enjoy the zoo and show they will be treated to a diner of their choosing. Hailee and I are making a "memory package" for her. She will get a picture frame to hold some memories and some nice souvenirs. In addition to all this, WE HAVE A LOGO! This means we can start making a website to put on SideKick.
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AuthorMy name is Louis Holbrook, if you have any questions, please contact me. Archives
May 2018
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