By Michael R. Moser / mmoser@crossville-chronicle.com
A ball befitting a princess was thrown for Cumberland County's little Cinderella Sunday afternoon and the guest of honor was all smiles. A party for a little five-year-old cherub with an engaging smile would be good for any princess, but this gala had a surprising announcement.
Little Haley Kellum's wish to go Orlando to see her favorite Disney character has come true and that seemed not too much to ask, considering the little Homestead Elementary kindergartner has undergone two brain surgeries for cancer in about three years.
Over 100 people turned out to a brightly decorated, princess-themed school cafeteria to celebrate the official announcement from the national Make-A-Wish Foundation's of a child's wish.
Haley is the daughter of LeeAnn and Keith Kellum who live on Dogwood Rd. near Grandview along with Haley's three-year-old sister, Audrey.
Sunday's celebration was organized by the folks at HES and Haley's teacher, Gretchen Thurman, with blessings from Principal Robin Perry.
"When LeeAnn told me that she had received notice of the granting of Haley's wish, she said that since they were new to the area, they didn't know many people so they would just have a little party at home with family," Thurman said.
That set Thurman's mind into action and the idea of a party was born.
"I asked (principal) Mrs. Perry if we could do that at the school and she said, 'Of course we can.' We invited her classmates and their parents and everyone just pitched in to make this a real celebration," Thurman said.
On hand to make the formal announcement for Make-A-Wish/East Tennessee Chapter were Stacey Nelson and Kristie Goodwin of the Knoxville area who conducted the initial June interview of the Kellums.
Also on hand was County Mayor Brock Hill who declared Sunday Haley Kellum day. He presented the family with a copy of the proclamation.
Haley seemed unaffected by the activity swirling around her as she sat at the head table with a paparazzi of family and moms firing off flashes from a host of cameras.
When Nelson asked Haley what she looked forward to the most, she replied without hesitation, "I want to see Cinderella."
The Kellums were living in Amarillo, TX where dad worked at a Department of Energy facility when in August 2006 Haley was found to have a brain tumor. Surgery followed with chemotherapy put the cancer in remission. Shortly after moving to East Tennessee, in August of 2008, the cancer returned.
DOE had transferred Keith to the Oak Ridge facility and the family sought treatment for Haley at East Tennessee Children's Hospital where she underwent her second surgery.
While the cancer is in remission again, Haley must travel to Knoxville every three months to make sure the cancer has not returned.
"Actually, this area was our first choice but when I got my job, they sent me to Amarillo. We really love it here," Keith said.
It is not certain who nominated Haley to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, but Haley's wish was dear to one of the interviewers. Nelson got involved with volunteering for Make-A-Wish after her own child was diagnosed with cancer, which led to her family enjoying a week in the Orlando area and Disney.
The family will leave Nov. 1 for their week-long adventure.
"They are really in for a treat. Someone from Make-A-Wish will be at the airport to meet and assist the family," Nelson said. "They will take care of transportation, luggage, all the Kellums will have to do is enjoy the week. Everything will be taken care of for them."
The family will stay at a special place called Give Kids the World Resort — "a resort within a resort" — which features everything from an ice cream parlor to regular visits from Disney characters. Characters might even show up to tuck the children in bed, Nelson said.
In addition to the regular Disney attractions, tickets will be provided for Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom and Sea World.
When Haley was asked what she thought about her wish coming true, she replied with her ready smile, "It's good."
"Are you excited?" she was asked.
"Yeah," she beamed.
Classmate after classmate hugged Haley throughout the afternoon and after a feast of cupcakes and chips, Haley and her friends hopped and gyrated to modern music at the "ball" thrown in her honor.
It was truly a celebration fit for a princess.
