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Military fairy godmother and her high-achieving Cinderella

JBLM specialist supports local kids

Athziri Macias and her fairy Godmother Natasha Manning-Redmond pose before the Clover Park High School Prom, May 15. Photo courtesy Natasha Manning-Redmond

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We don't often think about the backstory of Cinderella's fairy godmother. We generally just accept her as a benevolent benefactress who arrives on the scene in Cinderella's time of need and then just sort of disappears; her makeover saves Cinderella from life as a scullery maid and Cinderella has her Happily Ever After.

Recently, an unlikely, real-life Cinderella story happened at Clover Park High School.  Natasha Manning-Redmond, mother of four and E-4 at the 1st Battalion, 94th Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Fires Brigade said, "I kind of just wanted to give back."  Recognizing the time of year as Prom season, she mused, "I know how hard it is to have this glamorous Prom experience ... some people can't afford it."

So she decided to take matters into her own hands and play fairy godmother, but she only had a vague idea of how it might play out - she new she wanted to help a good student or even a couple eager to go to prom, but having difficulties affording it.  She contacted Clover Park High School counselor Jennifer Dixon, who in turn contacted main office secretary and Prom Coordinator Jannie Daly.  

Daly explained, "Ms. Dixon said Natasha called, and wanted to help out." As luck or destiny or fairy tale magic would have it, Athziri Macias, a student involved in the school's ROTC and ASB had recently approached Daly and asked if she could possibly make payments on her $50 Prom ticket. Funds were tight in her household as her mother had recently switched jobs, and paying for Advanced Placement testing and graduation expenses had left Macias worried she might not make it to Prom.

Daly recalled that when she told Macias about Manning-Redmond's offer, "Athziri was so excited." Daly added, "Natasha was amazing ... just like a fairy godmother ... for her to just call us out of the blue."

Manning-Redmond said that when she and Macias finally connected, Macias was "shy," and didn't want to take Manning-Redmond up on her offer to pay for everything -  "hair, nails, make-up, dress, shoes."  Daly said Manning-Redmond bought the Prom ticket, and pre-paid to have Macias' nails, hair, and make-up done the day of Prom; esthetician Brittney Calderon came to Macias' house while Manning-Redmond watched and interacted with Macias.

Macias reflected, "it was so much fun. Brittany make-up/ hair artist did an amazing job. Both her and Natasha gave me so much good advice while getting ready; they are definitely amazing women. Once we were finished with my hair and make-up, and it was time to put on my dress, I couldn't believe it. I felt and looked so beautiful I wanted to cry, and I was so thankful for Natasha's help."

Fairy Godmother Manning-Redmond had similar recollections, "it was so much fun. She was my princess."  She and Macias have developed a friendship, and Manning-Redmond plans to stay involved in Macias' life, with immediate plans to watch Macias graduate.

But Manning-Redmond's work as a fairy godmother probably won't end here.  She had an excited edge to her voice when she said, "I can't wait to do it again."

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