Pueblo Teen With Niemann-Pick Type C Disease Celebrates Memorable Birthday by Becoming Prom Queen

Amaria Granger Eagleridge Events Center Mandy Baxter Niemann-Pick Type C Phillip Potter Prom Queen

By Joel Brussels , Parent Herald Aug 26, 08:20 pm

Photo: (Photo : Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Pueblo teen Amaria Granger finally fulfilled a dream she'd had since she was a little girl just days before she celebrated her 14th birthday.

Granger, who lives with a rare and incurable disease, became a prom queen on August 18, according to The Pueblo Chieftain. She took home the honor at the Eagleridge Events Center in front of close family and friends, local children with disabilities, and about 50 students from Pueblo high schools.

Granger's mom, Mandy Baxter, said that when her daughter was little, she always wanted to be prom queen. She added that Granger used to always have dreams of being on the red carpet, which are just things that little sassy girls do.

Mom organizes a party for her sick daughter

The proud mom said she wanted to make sure that she kept some of that alive. She added that it is important that she experiences as much as she can while she still can. She noted that COVID robbed them of some of that time, so she wanted to pack in everything that she could.

Granger was diagnosed in 2018 with Niemann-Pick Type C, a disease that impacts the metabolism of cholesterol and lipids. The illness then leads to the malfunctioning and eventual death of cells. Since Granger's diagnosis, she has gradually lost her ability to speak and walk.

Baxter and Granger's stepdad, Phillip Potter, have lived in Pueblo for about six years now. Knowing that time is of the essence, the couple wanted to throw their daughter an unforgettable party in the lead-up to her birthday this year.

Many students showed up, including a high school volleyball team

The couple announced their party plans on Facebook. They reached out to the HopeKids Chapter of Colorado and contacted other local parents of kids with disabilities if they could come to the celebration.

Eloise Bargewell, a junior student on the Pueblo County High School volleyball team, was scrolling through her Facebook account when she saw the post of Baxter. She had initially planned to invite her brother to her prom night but decided to ask her entire volleyball team instead.

It was a tight schedule for Bargewell and her teammates, who had just finished volleyball practice the night of the prom. They headed straight for the locker room and wore their respective dresses once training was over. Bargewell said they did their hair and makeup and arrived at the prom together.

An exceptional student services teacher at Pueblo East High School got word of the prom and asked members of her school's student council if they would be interested in attending the event. East High School Student Council member Gina Smith said that students jumped at the opportunity to attend a prom for Granger and celebrate her 14th birthday.

Members of the East High School DECA program joined the prom as well, resulting in a mix of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors from both high schools attending the special event.