Meeting Miley answers a dream for Tonawanda girl

Posted on May 1st, 2010 | Category: Miley News | No Comments »

Youngster with cystic fibrosis travels to L.A. with her family as part of ‘World Wish Day’ Ariana Metzger got the thrill of her young life Wednesday, when she attended a special Miley Cyrus performance for “World Wish Day” and met the teen star afterward. The City of Tonawanda fifth-grader, who was born with cystic fibrosis, a chronic lung disease that can result in early death, met the “Hannah Montana” star with the help of Make-A-Wish Foundation of WNY.

“It was overwhelming. Everything about it was awesome,” Ariana, 11, said from Los Angeles, where she is visiting until Saturday with her parents, Kristopher and Amy, and younger sister Courtney.

“It was pretty cool, said Amy Metzger. “Her lifelong dream was to meet Miley Cyrus.”

Here’s what happened:

At 7:15 a.m, a coach-sized bus showed up at the Beverly Hills hotel to take 30 Make-A-Wish kids, including Ariana, and chaperones to a Disney store. Each was given a $50 gift certificate and got to take photos with Mickey and Minnie Mouse, who happened to be in the neighborhood.

“It was something nice for all the kids,” Kristopher Metzger said.

After leaving, the kids were treated to “Hanna Montana” dolls and other gifts from the Disney show.

In the afternoon, everyone went to the Grove, an outdoor shopping center, where the kids were seated in a special section in front of the stage. They listened to sound checks and, later, short performances by teen recording artist Jordan Pruitt and Mark Ballas, a ballroom singer and dancer on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.”

Miley bounded on the stage after being introduced by a former Make-A-Wish Foundation recipient, telling the audience she had granted 105 wishes and felt grateful to help. With Ariana practically within arm’s length, she sang her ballad “The Climb,” dedicating it to the Make-A-Wish kids.

While singing, Miley reached out and touched Ariana’s hand.

After the song ended, the kids were taken upstairs to the next-door pizzeria, where they ate free food on a balcony with actors from the “Hannah Montana” show.

“We got tons of pictures, autographs, it was cool. Ariana loved it,” Kristopher Metzger said.

They also had their pictures taken with Miley’s mother and sister.

Then Ariana met Miley and gave her a present, a homemade shirt that read, “Miley Rocks.” The TV star was thrilled with the gift.

When Ariana told the star she had cystic fibrosis, Miley said she she had a friend who also had it, and that she tried to do things to support those who have it.

“I’m very involved with cystic fibrosis,” Miley said.

Ariana, who received an autographed picture, was on Cloud 9, and even sister Courtney got a hug from the star.

After that, Ariana ate pizza on the balcony with Jordan Pruitt.

“She couldn’t believe she was actually sitting there and eating with a celebrity, hanging out and talking about girl stuff,” her dad said. “Now Jordan Pruitt is her second favorite star.”

Amy said it was a trip her daughter will never forget.

“It was just so much fun,” she said.

“I don’t think it’s really hit her yet. I think she feels like the celebrity right now.” source.