Breanna Pereira, 10, gave up dancing after her sister, Crystal, 4, was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at 3 years old, their mom, Sonya, told Daily Voice. Crystal has been in and out of the hospital ever since.
After seeing an ad on Facebook for a visit from the dancers, Sonia reached out to help cheer up both her daughters.
The visit to The Next Step School of Dance was part of the Rockettes’ “Gift of Joy” initiative to spread joy to fans throughout New Jersey, Connecticut and New York.
The dance studio gave Breanna a scholarship to continue dancing locally, but she had to drop out of the company that travels, Sonia said.
On Thursday afternoon, Breanna and Crystal were all smiles, as the sisters and other dancers at the studio did kick lines with the Rockettes.
The Rockettes had one more surprise for the family – tickets to the opening night of the Christmas Spectacular.
“We wanted to bring an extra gift of joy to them,” Rockette Taylor Shimko said.
The dance studio’s owner, Bonnie Walker, said the staff, parents and kids were “thrilled” for the visit.
“Every girl wants to grow up and become a Rockette,” she said.
Maybe they will.
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