EVANSTON — “Aloha,” yelled Zoey’s family members as the 9-year-old third grader returned to her Clark Elementary classroom after lunch. Her parents, sister, grandparents and other family had gathered along with local representatives of the Make-a-Wish Foundation and Clark staff to surprise Zoey with a wish reveal party to let the youngster know she would soon be heading to Hawaii. 

Zoey Clark has cystic fibrosis, diagnosed at five weeks of age. A couple of months ago her social worker at the cystic fibrosis clinic in Salt Lake City recommended her for the Make-a-Wish program. 

Zoey’s mom, Kortney, said the process involved meetings with local representatives of the Wyoming Make-a-Wish Foundation and the use of a wish kit to help her focus in on her wish. For Zoey, that has always been to visit Hawaii. Kortney said for years Zoey has said she wants to live there when she grows up. 

The process culminated in the wish reveal party in Zoey’s classroom, organized by local Make-a-Wish representatives Amy Kelly and Sharon Quillinan. Kelly is in her 22nd year of involvement. For Quillinan, Zoey’s wish was her first. 

The classroom party included island-themed balloons and decorations, flower leis and cupcakes for all of her third-grade friends, and a picture story board where classmates could write their well wishes to Zoey. 

Shortly after the school year wraps up in early June, the Clark family, including Zoey, Kortney, dad Randy and little sister Aryiah, will board a plane for Oahu to spend a week living Zoey’s dream. That dream includes what Zoey is most excited about — interacting with dolphins, as well as attending a Hawaiian luau and a sunset boat tour. The Clarks will also get to spend some time shopping with gift cards provided by the foundation. 

The flight to Hawaii will be Zoey’s and Aryiah’s first and will also be the sisters’ first time on a beach or touching the ocean. To prepare for the trip, Make-a-Wish also purchased gifts for the whole family, including beach towels and sunglasses, along with backpacks of supplies and activities for the flight. 

Kelly said the trips for children, including airfare, accommodations, meals and activities, are paid for by the Wyoming chapter of the Make-a-Wish Foundation through fundraising and in-kind donations. She said there is usually some assistance from the destination chapter, but “the Wyoming chapter pays for the Wyoming kids.” Contrary to popular belief, kids recommended for the program do not necessarily have to have terminal illnesses, but rather are those kids facing life-changing or life-threatening diseases. 

Zoey’s cystic fibrosis definitely fits that category. According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, most people with CF struggle with persistent coughing and respiratory problems, including shortness of breath and frequent lung infections. A few decades ago, people with CF weren’t expected to live past childhood. Today, with advancements in medicine, the median life expectancy for those with the disease is about 40. However, the illness requires a stringent care regimen and meticulous attention to cleanliness and germ avoidance. 

Kortney said she and Randy had no idea when they started their family that they were both carriers of the CF gene. They were informed by their doctor at Zoey’s two-week pediatric visit that a test at birth had come back abnormal, and the diagnosis was confirmed at five weeks of age. 

For Kortney, the trip is bittersweet. “It’s amazing what Make-a-Wish is doing for our family,” she said tearfully. “But at the same time there’s a reason she’s getting this.”