Everyone knows that we are in the business of making dreams come true. Whether it be visiting children at Seattle Children’s Hospital, attending birthday parties, hosting Fall Balls, or creating custom videos to reveal a magical trip, the end goal is always the same; to create magical and enchanting moments for people.
We were approached by a local organization in Burlington, WA called ATTIC (Adult Transition To Independence Center.) ATTIC is a non profit, contracted with Skagit County schools, to provide a work training program with students 18 to 21 to help them build their resumes with work experience at local businesses. We received Asa’s resume and it stated, “I would like to be a Disney Prince.” This opportunity was too amazing to pass up. We just had to interview Asa and bring him in to our Enchanting Family, to give him the experience he needed to reach his goals of becoming the first Disney Prince with Down Syndrome.
Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty had been invited to a Ball shortly after receiving Asa’s resume. This was no ordinary Ball, this was a fundraiser that we have been a part of since day one of the event. The fundraiser is for one of Asa’s friends, Serenity, who had passed away. All of the money raised is donated to the Serenity Thomas Foundation, a 501c3 non profit that awards annual scholarships to residents of Skagit County, going into the fields of special needs or related services. We asked Asa if he would be interested in working side by side with Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty at this event as a Prince! Asa jumped at the opportunity, but better yet, he has every Prince costume there is! First he was Prince Charming when Cinderella was there and then a quick costume change and he was Prince Phillip, while Sleeping Beauty was there! Girls in attendance, who also have Down Syndrome, were so excited to see Asa as a real Prince and would even comment, “wow you look just like me!”
Acting a part is nothing new for Asa. He has been performing in play productions for years and takes his roles very seriously. He has been in at least ten theater projects and six years of choir, but it wasn’t until 2017 when he went to Disneyland and got to meet actual Disney princes and princesses that he caught the vision to be a real Disney prince!
It is our hope that we can help Asa achieve this goal by giving him opportunities at our events to gain experience and confidence in this role as a Prince. We have had many people who have worked with us go on to be Cast Members at the most Magical Place on Earth, but this one is extra special! Asa will be walking in the Berry Dairy Days Parade on June 15th, at the front of the line, while we raise money for the Children’s Museum of Skagit County. He will also be attending the Enchanting Fall Ball in October, helping guests and dancing the night away. When you see him at either of these events, please greet him as you would any royal and call him by the Prince name of the costume he is wearing! Of course for some extra training, ask to take a photo with him, because after all, we are preparing him for the big time at Disneyland, so bring out the “mamarazzi”
The most important question now is; which costumes should he wear in the parade and at the Fall Ball?
