Matthew’s SEC Gymnastics Championship Dream was a perfect 10!
Matthews Dream started when the Grandview High School, Aurora, CO Junior Dream Team and Leadership Club organized an incredible Dream Reveal. Once again involving the entire school, and community, the team raised over $20,000 for Matthew’s Southeastern Conference Gymnastics Championship Dream and revealed the surprise to him during a schoolwide assembly put together just for him!
A few days later, we kicked off Matthew’s Dream Experience with an amazing group of people, including members of the Grandview HS Jr. Dream Team and Leadership Team, along with DO3 employees and board members. The excitement was palpable as we presented Matthew with a custom track suit, which he absolutely loved! The adventure started in style as we made our way to the airport in a sleek limo, setting the tone for the incredible days ahead.
Upon landing in Birmingham, Alabama, the Renaissance Ross Bridge Resort truly rolled out the red carpet for Matthew and his family. They were gifted the presidential suite, which was not only luxurious but also filled to the brim with thoughtful goodies. After settling in, the evening was topped off with a delicious dinner and decadent dessert, a perfect way to wrap up an unforgettable first day.
Day two was packed with excitement, starting with a hearty breakfast followed by some pool time to get the day off to a fun start. The real magic began when we headed to Legacy Arena for a special surprise—Matthew had no idea that he was going to be part of an unforgettable experience.
Once at the arena, Matthew had the chance to meet all of the teams, and he was beyond thrilled to meet members of his favorite team, the University of Oklahoma! He got to watch practice from the floor, taking in every moment up close. As if that wasn’t enough, Matthew also had the honor of meeting Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman and was able to tour the floor with her. Together, they sat and scored the girls as they practiced, and the whole experience was filled with warmth, kindness, and love from everyone involved. Matthew couldn’t stop smiling—the day was nothing short of magical. After a fun-filled day, we wrapped it up with a delicious dinner and some much-needed rest in preparation for the big meet day ahead.
The long-awaited day had finally arrived—SEC Gymnastics Championship Meet Day! After another relaxing breakfast, some fun swimming, and a tasty lunch, the crew headed to the arena, where Matthew was ready for an action-packed day. From the very start, Matthew was completely locked in, fully immersed in every session.
Though his favorite team, Oklahoma, didn’t take home the win, Matthew still cherished every second of the experience. The energy was electric, and he witnessed five perfect scores, a rare and unforgettable sight. The day was truly everything Matthew had hoped for and more, filled with excitement, inspiration, and the sheer joy of being part of something so special.
A huge thank you to the SEC for welcoming Matthew with open arms and making his dream a reality!
