Very Important Princess Day

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Jamestown Sun
KFYR
WDAY

ACC Makes Dream Come True for Young Girl

One of the special princesses at the Anne Carlsen Center, Arianna was given her own special day in November.

Her sovereignty is a little smile, wavy hair, and deep blue eyes.

She rules with the lightest of touch or with a wiggle of her nose. Spend any more than about 30 seconds with her, and you will likely know her captivating power.

Arianna is four-and-a-half years old and has spent much of her life at the Anne Carlsen Center (ACC). She came to ACC when she was about six months old and has been capturing hearts ever since.

But not all of Arianna’s life is a fairy tale. This little girl is medically fragile, and there are constant challenges she overcomes in order to go to class each weekday morning and to live her life. She is a fighter with immeasurable spirit.

She loves books, toys, movies—anything, really— with princesses in. Her fondness of Cinderella, Belle and Ariel planted the seed for Arianna’s magical day.

Setting the Stage

Initially, plans had been made to bring Arianna to Disney World. But with the little girl’s health often in flux, staff decided to bring an unforgettable experience to Arianna. They would bring the wonder of being a princess to the Center.

Planning for the event started in the summer.

“Our vision from the start was to take her to Disney World. But we realized what was in her best interest,” said Sheila Dewey, an Individual Program Coordinator with the Center who was part of “Arianna’s Fairy Godmother” team putting the event together. “We realized they needed to come to her, and that we could do it.”

Sharon Olson, a special education teacher at the Center, contacted Mrs. North Dakota, Jamestown resident Tricia Seckerson, who in turn contacted royalty from around the state.

“It is every little girl’s dream to be a princess,” said Seckerson. “That dream came true for me and I want to make another little girl’s dream come true.”

One of the people Seckerson contacted was Miss Rodeo North Dakota 2008 Lindy Ellis. Ellis made the trip from the Capital City to the Buffalo City to greet the newest member of the state’s royalty.

“We are here to have fun with the kids,” said Ellis. “They are the main point of interest. Whatever they want – tea, a parade, everything.”

Led by a pair of Great Pyrenees, Princess Arianna parades down one of the hallways at the Anne Carlsen Center. The parade began just outside her living area, continuing to the Center’s solarium before ending at the Sunroom for a spot of tea for Arianna and her friends.

A Royal Event

The morning started with the princess selecting her royal attire – a blue dress. The decision was a good one, creating much excitement amongst the bustling attendees who began tending to Arianna’s makeup. The half-dozen women took turns eyeing the little girl, sometimes nodding in approval, sometimes applying makeup, or fussing with a mirror or camera.

Everything needed to be just so, and when the final dash of sparkle had been added to the little girl’s attire – her tiara and wand – the parade could begin.

With a pair of Great Pyrenees dogs leading the parade, Arianna was every inch a royal figure as she completed a loop through the Center.

It was during the parade when Dewey saw little Arianna for the first time that day.

“I saw her in her carriage, at the head of the parade. She was smiling and looking beautiful,” said Dewey. “I was fighting tears and covered them up by doing a curtsey.”

“(At the parade) you saw classes dressed in Renaissance attire and it was very festive,” said Olson. “Not only classrooms, but the people who work in offices, too.”

Finishing the parade in the Center’s solarium, (Assistive Technology Director) King Mark (Coppin) from the Land of Butterflies proclaimed the day to be Arianna’s.

“This has been a lot of fun,” Coppin said following the event. “Sharon and others have done a lot of work. I just got to come in at the end and do the fun stuff.”

From there, the party moved to the newly-renovated Sunroom for a tea party. At the head of the table was Princess Arianna, seated with friends at a glamorous event, eating goodies and opening presents.

“It was not only a wonderful, beautiful memory for her, but for all of her friends,” said Dewey.

Sadie Duven, one of the young ladies in attendance nodded shyly when asked if she had enjoyed the day. The cake was the best part she said – it was princess cake, after all.

An hour and a half of parades, wand waving, and taking tea had taken its toll on Arianna, though certainly not her smile. As the little princess prepared to leave her party, that smile shone through, prompting similar expressions on the faces she passed.

She was a Very Important Princess. And she was just minutes away from a well-deserved royal nap.