Penny John’s Dream Weekend began in grand style with a warm welcome at the StateView Hotel where our friendly limousine driver, Paul, was ready to roll out the red carpet. The hotel staff went above and beyond, checking us in early and setting the tone for what would be an unforgettable experience. Inside the family’s room, thanks to captains Emma and Karmelo, a thoughtful gift basket awaited—filled with Penny John’s favorite snacks, Dream On 3 shirts, and a detailed itinerary for the weekend. After a heartfelt send-off at their home, Penny John, wearing her custom NC State basketball jersey, was whisked away in the limo to a soundtrack of her favorite music, dancing and laughing with her siblings. The Dream Team made a spontaneous trip to a local nail salon, where Penny had a chance encounter with NC State assistant women’s basketball coach, Nikki West, who shared a warm chat with Penny. Dinner at Slice of New York followed, and then it was back to the hotel for a restful night, eager to dive into day two.
The next morning began with a delicious breakfast at the Farmer’s Market Restaurant in Raleigh, where the family was treated to a heartwarming surprise—the meal was covered by the restaurant, a gesture that left everyone speechless. From there, we headed to the Red and White Shop for a shopping spree, where Penny John, her siblings, and parents picked out some fresh NC State gear. The family was beaming with pride as they wore their new apparel on the way to the Lenovo Center for the NC State Men’s Basketball game! Penny John had an incredible time meeting the NC State cheerleaders and mascots, and she was even featured on the Jumbotron during the game, surrounded by her family and new friends. The Wolfpack’s stunning victory over Wake Forest made the day even more special. After the game, the team headed to Howling Cow Ice Cream for a sweet treat before dinner at Players’ Retreat, a local NC State favorite where Penny’s parents caught up with friends. The evening was capped off with a visit to NC State’s iconic bell tower, glowing red after the big win, creating a perfect photo op to end an action-packed day.
The third and final day was the pinnacle of Penny John’s Dream Weekend—meeting the NC State Women’s Basketball team and getting the chance to shoot around with them during practice. The day began early as the group gathered at the hotel for a quick breakfast before heading to Reynolds Coliseum for the women’s shootaround. An unexpected but delightful moment came when Penny John met Coach Wes Moore and star player Saniya Rivers, who made Penny feel like part of the team. After a tour of the court, Penny John was invited to join the players for a special team huddle and was presented with a signed game ball and a custom NC State jersey—her excitement was palpable.
Thanks to a connection with ESPN, Penny John and the team got exclusive access to the GameDay booth, where they took photos and enjoyed the VIP treatment from ESPN’s talent. Special shout out to Elle Duncan, Andraya Carter, and Chiney Ogwumike for loving on Penny! Afterward, Penny couldn’t resist making a beeline for the cheerleaders and mascots, who were just as excited to see her. The day continued with a front-row view of the NC State vs. Notre Dame game, where Penny John’s family was frequently featured on the Jumbotron. The Wolfpack’s epic double-overtime win over the top-ranked Fighting Irish added an extra layer of magic to the day. After the game, Penny’s family ran into her assistant principal, who had come to witness the dream come true. The weekend ended with one last ride in the limo, filled with hugs and heartfelt goodbyes, as Penny John and her family left with their hearts full of unforgettable memories and new friendships.
Way to go, NC State Collegiate Dream Team!
