Paola, 16:

I wish to have a Quinceañera celebration

Living with a severe neurological disorder often makes 16-year-old Paola’s life unpredictable and different from that of many teenagers she knows. So when Betty Crocker® and the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Tri-Counties asked Paola what her one true wish would be, she wished to have something like other girls her age – her own Quinceañera celebration.

Paola looked forward to this rite of passage that would mark the beginning of her adulthood. A celebration of this size takes extensive planning and fine-tuning, and Paola’s Make-A-Wish® volunteers didn’t want to miss any detail. With help from Betty Crocker, they planned a celebration Paola would never forget. Paola excitedly provided her input throughout the planning process, helping choose the decorations, the type of cake, her dress and hairstyle, and even the Betty Crocker cupcakes for her cupcake tier.

In January 2010, after months of careful planning, Paola’s Quinceañera wish came true – this remarkable young lady in an elegant purple gown rarely stopped smiling as she celebrated this life-changing day with her family and friends.