Students in the College of Pharmacy at UT Health Science Center got the chance to make a little girl’s dreams come true.
Members of Kappa Psi, a pharmaceutical fraternity, provided a wish for 5-year-old Nicohl through Make-A-Wish Mid-South. The child, who is from Mexico, loves the movie “Frozen” and wished to go to Disney World. Thanks to Kappa Psi, Nichol and her parents left for Disney World Saturday morning.
But first, she was the guest of honor at a Disney-themed party on Friday in the College of Pharmacy hosted by members of Kappa Psi, along with other students and faculty.
Shortly after lunch, a limousine carrying Nicohl and her parents pulled up in front of the Pharmacy building. Waiting for them, was a student dressed as Elsa, the princess from “Frozen.”
At first, the little girl looked a bit overwhelmed by the attention, but she gamely donned a purple crown, slipped on the blue tutu offered, and walked into the building, holding a fairy wand and Elsa’s hand. Students dressed in Disney character costumes provided by Make-A-Wish lined a blue walkway to greet her. The greeters included Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Lilo from “Lilo and Stitch,” Cinderella, a couple of Minions and some other Disney princesses.
Since Nicohl’s favorite game is soccer, she was ushered into a classroom for a rousing game of kick ball with the students. After a round of Duck, Duck, Goose; a pile of presents brought by Make-a-Wish; and some photos, the family was presented with the trip, and everyone had cake.
Connor Stuart, a second-year Pharmacy student and Kappa Psi Regent, said it took a couple of years of doing fundraising events, including some very successful karaoke nights, to get the money to provide the wish.
“I feel very fortunate working with the executive committee and all the chapter members to get to give the wish,” he said. “I am really happy with the turnout, and it looks like she had a good time.”
Marie Chisholm-Burns, PharmD, MPH, MBA, FCCP, FASHP, dean of the College of Pharmacy, said students at UTHSC are encouraged to give back to the community. “We are so proud of all our Pharmacy students who worked so hard to make a little girl smile,” she said.
