Cedar Rapids 12-year-old girl surprised with trip to the Sweet 16

ALBANY, NY (KCRG) - It’s been a girls weekend in New York for Rebekah and Ellie Stewart, after they were gifted with tickets and trip to Albany to watch the Iowa women’s basketball team.

Ellie was very excited to hop on a plane Friday morning, where she and her mom would meet up with the Iowa dance team.

“They’re pretty kind,” Ellie said.

“They’re very kind,” Rebekah agreed.

“They give me surprises. One time they got me 8 big size Kit-Kats.

The 12-year-old who was diagnosed with Williams syndrome at 10 months old, was matched with the team in August through Team Impact. It’s a non profit-organization that matches kids facing serious illnesses with college sports teams to create lasting memories.

“It’s really increased her confidence quite a bit being able to talk with these girls and have them be interested. They’re just in it. It’s been great for her to feel like a part of a team. As somebody with Williams syndrome, with a disability, she doesn’t always have close friends or teammates,” Rebekah said.

Ellie is on a dance team at home specifically for with kids with disabilities, but she’s enjoyed getting to know the members on the Iowa dance team by sharing some of her favorite things.

“Like chocolate, M&M’s and kittens,” Ellie said.

Her mom says the team has been instrumental in helping Ellie make deeper connections.

They send her texts, they send her Marco Polos, we try to get together every time we can and they’re just really invested in the relationship,” Rebekah said.

Tickets to Iowa women’s basketball games haven’t been easy for the Stewarts to get their hands on this season, so they were excited to see the team for the first time this year. Ellie had a good feeling the Hawkeyes would come out with a win because of one special player.

“Because of Caitlin Clark,” she said.

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