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.
1 Comment
|
AuthorMy name is Louis Holbrook, if you have any questions, please contact me. Archives
May 2018
Categories |