Alexander Students Make Classmate's Hoop Dreams Come True

DOUGLAS COUNTY, GA — With hard work, smiles, and determination, a dream team of nine Alexander High School Students made one classmate's NBA fantasy come to life. By working side by side with Dream on 3, an organization devoted to making dreams come true, Kevin Patel’s sports dreams have quickly leaped to life.

The 17-year-old is a huge sports fan passionate about basketball, especially Golden State Warrior Point Guard Steph Curry. According to his friends, Kevin knows every Steph Curry stat and always finds a way to interject them into conversations. Kevin has dreams of someday playing in the NBA and aspires to be just like his sports hero. Kevin’s one wish was to one day meet Mr. Curry and, in his words, “be as tall and as good of a basketball player as him.” With that knowledge in hand, The Alexander High School Jr. Dream Team students got to work making Kevin’s dream come true. These students, ranging from sophomores to seniors, took charge of planning, fundraising, and promoting Kevin’s dream.

The Dream On 3 Jr. Dream Team organization partners with high schools and universities to empower student leaders to plan a Dream Experience for a fellow student living with special needs. With the group’s help, his classmates designed a once in a lifetime personal experience for Kevin.

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“The Big Reveal,” as Dream on 3 calls it, took place Monday, December 3. At a surprise pep rally with his classmates cheering him on, the Jr. Dream Team told Kevin that he was going to the Hawks versus Warriors basketball game that night. Junior Dream Team member and AHS senior Marissa Allen says this Big Reveal was her favorite part of the surprise. “When we finally told Kevin he was meeting Steph Curry, he was speechless for the first time, and when it sank in, he said ‘I’m going to challenge him [to a game of one-on-one]!’”

Still excited about the evening's opportunities, the basketball superfan then headed into a limo bound for a special lunch with the Jr. Dream Team and later, the State Farm Arena. From there, Kevin had his big moment, when he got to meet Mr. Curry and several other professional basketball players before watching the big game.

Marissa says the whole experience was amazing, and a dream come true for everyone involved. "This has been an unforgettable experience for not just Kevin, but everyone who worked on this project. We are all winners!"

For more information on Dream On 3, the group granting dreams for children with chronic illnesses, intellectual & developmental disabilities, or life-altering conditions by creating experiences of joy and magic through the world of sports, visit www.dreamon3.org.

Photos courtesy Douglas County School System