Shaylee's Dream

Meet Shaylee

Meet Shaylee! This joyful and kind 17-year-old loves to be center stage, and she may just be the biggest Charlotte Hornets fan you’ve ever met! Shooting hoops and cheering on Buzz City brings a smile to her face that can light up a room.

At a young age, her Shaylee’s uncle fostered her love for the game by attending home games at the Spectrum Center. To this day, this family tradition continues, and the excitement surrounding her favorite NBA team peaked when Guard LaMelo Ball was drafted with the No. 3 overall pick! Like her idol, Shaylee’s sweet spot on the court is the 3-point line.

Although Shaylee lives with Down syndrome, it has never stopped her from playing the game she loves! On and off the court, she’s described as everyone’s biggest cheerleader and shows pride when supporting those around her.

Shaylee’s ultimate sports dream is to be a VIP at a Charlotte Hornets basketball game. In her words, “I want to be in the spotlight!”

The Junior Dream Team at Hough High School has selected Shaylee as their dream recipient. The team recognizes Shaylee’s impact and the joy she brings to their school community, and the students are excited to rally behind this deserving individual by gifting her with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Go Hornets and go Hough JDT!

Shaylee's Dream

Shaylee’s Dream weekend was nothing short of spectacular, kicking off with the unforgettable moment as she was led by the lively Hough HS marching band down to the gym tunnel for the highly anticipated student vs. teachers basketball game. As the game unfolded, Shaylee quickly cemented herself as the true MVP, scoring over half of her team’s points and securing a victory for the students!

But, this was only the beginning of her Dream adventure. After the game, Shaylee was swept away by her friends from the Hough HS Jr. Dream Team, and they rocked out in a limo, heading to Spare Time for an evening of fun. There, they bowled strikes, played arcade games, and created memories that would last a lifetime.

The excitement didn’t stop there! Once bowling wrapped up, Shaylee hopped back into her limo for a luxurious ride to Uptown Charlotte. Upon arriving at the stunning Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel, the dedicated hotel staff lined the lobby, giving her the royal treatment as she checked in for a lavish stay. As if that wasn’t enough, Shaylee was whisked away to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, where she indulged in a decadent seafood tower followed by a mouthwatering New York Strip, enjoying every bite of her exquisite meal.

Saturday morning started in the most relaxing way possible with room service breakfast – a total Shaylee favorite! After savoring a delicious spread, she was off to Splatter Charlotte, where she channeled her inner artist, creating a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Next up, a sweet stop at Amelie’s Bakery, where she treated herself to a divine chocolate mousse and a savory turkey & bacon sandwich.

And then came the ultimate Charlotte Hornets experience and Dream come true. Shaylee and the Dream team were granted exclusive early access to the Spectrum Center, where they enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of the iconic arena. She got a peek into the players’ weight room, video room, and even shot hoops on the practice court! Shaylee was then treated to a custom smoothie made by the chef who caters to the players, before sitting in LaMelo Ball’s seat in the locker room. She was over the moon! As if that wasn’t magical enough, she was gifted a delicious lunch, followed by a once-in-a-lifetime meeting with the legendary Kemba Walker.

And the surprises kept coming! Shaylee was then escorted off to the player walk-ins and warm-ups, where she met and got autographs from some of the Hornets’ biggest stars, including Seth Curry, Mark Williams, Miles Bridges, and of course, LaMelo Ball! She even had the privilege of meeting the legendary Hornets Entertainer Fly Ty, who introduced her to the Hornets DJ (who played a special music request just for her) and the team’s in-game announcer.

As the excitement reached its peak, Shaylee was named Honorary Captain of the game, walking alongside the team at center court just before tip-off, while the entire stadium cheered her on. And to top it all off, the Charlotte Hornets clinched a thrilling, nail-biting victory, further solidifying Shaylee’s status as the Hornets’ lucky charm!

Shaylee gave her Dream weekend a perfect 10 out of 10. From start to finish, it was a celebration of excitement, unforgettable moments, and Shaylee’s shining personality!

Way to go Hough High School Jr. Dream Team!

Dream Snapshots

Thank you to our Dream Sponsor, the Hough High School Jr. Dream Team!