Young Cancer Fighter Sophie Surprised With Make-A-Wish Disney World Trip at St. Martin's School in Watertown
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The St. Martin’s School community gathered in their church sanctuary for a deeply emotional, joyous occasion: a surprise Make-A-Wish reveal for young cancer fighter Sophie Holida. Surrounded by classmates, teachers, extended family, and supporters, Sophie was celebrated for her incredible bravery during a grueling, year-and-a-half-long medical battle.
Local volunteers organized the special assembly, including presenters Gerry Likness and Clark. At the front of the sanctuary, Sophie—alongside her mother, Ashley, and her father and brother, Jaden—was presented with a large, heavy yellow box. When she opened it, a balloon of the Disney princess Belle floated out, followed by a yellow Belle dress, signaling that Sophie’s ultimate wish was coming true.
Sophie and her family are being sent on a week-long vacation to Walt Disney World in Florida. During the trip, Sophie will be treated to a special meet-and-greet with Belle at the Disney castle—a welcome change of scenery from the medical facilities she has frequented. To help with the journey, volunteers gifted the family new luggage and backpacks. Sophie also received a special framed photograph of herself for her classmates and teachers to autograph as a permanent keepsake of the day.
Make-A-Wish medical outreach staff member Alyssa, who lives in Watertown, and local adopting partners, including Ali and representatives from several Edward Jones offices in Watertown, made the wish possible.
A Harrowing Medical Journey
The joyful celebration stands in stark contrast to the immense physical and emotional toll the Holida family has faced over the past year. Sophie was diagnosed with Stage 4 Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma in June of 2025 at just nine years old. The devastating diagnosis immediately forced Sophie to leave her school and friends behind to endure a very difficult treatment regimen.
She completed 40 rounds of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Sophie developed an immune disorder and a condition known as PRESS, resulting in severe brain swelling that left her on a ventilator in the Intensive Care Unit for 35 days. When she finally woke up, she faced the monumental task of relearning how to walk, talk, and function independently.
Through it all, Sophie has remained remarkably resilient, famously using pop star Taylor Swift's song "Opalite" as a coping mechanism during her radiation sessions. At the St. Martin's surprise event, Gerry Likness praised her bravery over the last year and a half, noting how much the school missed her and how long it had been since she could participate in school traditions like ringing the bell. Today, Sophie is slowly regaining her strength and has even begun returning to school part-time.
"You Guys Are All Family"
Following the wish reveal, an overwhelmed Ashley Holida addressed the sanctuary through tears. Wearing a yellow shirt that read "I Wear Gold For Sophie"—gold being the designated color for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month—she expressed her deep gratitude.
"I just can't say thank you enough to everyone," Ashley told the crowd. "We see and hear the prayers of your life, and without your support, this journey would have been so much harder... maybe impossible."
Looking out at the St. Martin's students, faculty, and Make-A-Wish volunteers, she concluded her emotional remarks by telling the community,
"We needed all your prayers, we needed all your support. You guys are all family."
After the assembly, the school organizers asked the students to pray hard for Sophie's remission and continued health so she and her family could finally enjoy a fun, worry-free trip to Florida.
