Wish kid Catalina, 16, had many years of being home schooled, even before the pandemic required it of students. 

“When she was really sick, she was home a lot and didn’t go to school a lot,” said her mother, Robin. “She actually missed a couple years of school due to her condition so now, school means a lot to her.”

It means so much that Catalina used her wish to pay for her new boarding school, Verde Valley School, in Sedona, Ariz.

“I really wasn’t sure what my wish would be because I knew I couldn’t travel because of Covid but I do love my school so I decided that would be my wish,” said Catalina.
 
Catalina really likes the fact that she is fully immersed in school since it is a boarding school.

“I like to be around people a lot and it’s so much fun to have a roommate and be social,” said Catalina. “I love that they have a little community that is all about us, the students.”

Catalina also loves her classes, especially art, and is looking forward to facing her fears about horses by taking equestrian classes soon. 

“When I first heard I would be getting a wish, I was really surprised as I thought it was only for kids who were terminal and my condition isn’t,” said Catalina, who deals with a critical gastrointestinal condition that required three surgeries, keeping her out of “regular” school for years.

“But I was so happy to get my wish because my school really changed my life,” continued Catalina. “It was that last push out of being sick and boarding at my school just gives me the encouragement to keep going. Even if I don’t feel as good, the community is such a good community and they all understand and support me.

“It was a great way to use my wish.”