{"id":73210,"date":"2025-12-17T11:51:10","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T11:51:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/73210\/"},"modified":"2025-12-17T11:51:10","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T11:51:10","slug":"this-grad-with-special-needs-brought-strangers-together-for-a-once-in-a-lifetime-party-staten-islanders-of-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/73210\/","title":{"rendered":"This grad with special needs brought strangers together for a once-in-a-lifetime party | Staten Islanders of 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor\u2019s Note: In honor of the many everyday Staten Islanders who give back, make change, inspire others, advocate and\/or care about their community, we are highlighting some of the standouts, and honoring them as Staten Island\u2019s Brightest Lights of 2025.<\/p>\n

Staten Island\u2019s Brightest Lights of 2025: Emily Howell & her princesses<\/p>\n

Emily Howell, 21, has special needs, and worked incredibly hard to graduate from high school.<\/p>\n

And like many young women her age, Emily is enchanted by princesses\u2014especially Belle from \u201cBeauty and the Beast.\u201d <\/p>\n

When her dad sought someone who could show up at Emily\u2019s graduation party as Belle to surprise her, he got so much more: a group of strangers learned of the party on Facebook, and went above-and-beyond to make Emily herself into a princess for the day.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmily was aglow the whole time,\u201d a participant said.<\/p>\n

Here is their story, originally published July 7, 2025:<\/p>\n

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 Sometimes, all it takes is a Facebook post to turn strangers into friends\u2014and a graduation into a fairytale.<\/p>\n

On a sunny afternoon this June, a young woman named Emily celebrated more than just her high school graduation\u2014she celebrated the love and unity of a Staten Island community that came together to make her dream come true.<\/p>\n

Emily Howell, 21, has special needs. She is partially blind, has limited motor skills, and has worked incredibly hard to graduate from high school. <\/p>\n

And like many young women her age, Emily is enchanted by princesses\u2014especially Belle from \u201cBeauty and the Beast.\u201d<\/p>\n

As her graduation day approached, her father\u2014an employee at Northwell Health\u2014searched for someone to dress as Belle and surprise his daughter at her celebration. <\/p>\n

His co-worker, Danielle Fermaint Branch, also an employee at Northwell, stepped up to help in the quest for someone to portray the Disney princess. <\/p>\n

Branch even posted in a Staten Island community page on Facebook to reach more people.<\/p>\n

\"CourtesyEmily Howell, 21-year-old student with special needs, was surprised at her high school graduation party with a special appearence by Princess Belle (portrayed by Olivia Voto) and custom jewelry by Maryann Piazza, pictured, left. (Courtesy Maryann Piazza)Courtesy Maryann Piazza<\/p>\n

\u201c[S]omeone posted on a community FB page that they have a friend whose daughter has special needs. <\/p>\n

\u201cAt 21 years old she is graduating high school. Her love in this world are princesses, Belle being her favorite,\u201d explained Staten Islander Maryann Piazza.<\/p>\n

The Facebook post struck a chord with Piazza, who is a local permanent jewelry artist and owner of Luxuriously Linked. <\/a><\/p>\n

Inspired by Emily\u2019s story, she offered to gift a custom sterling silver tiara bracelet to whoever stepped up to bring Belle to life.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I saw this post it touched me so much that I responded hoping that someone would come forward to do this and added that I would custom make a sterling silver tiara bracelet and gift it to her,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

And then, as magic would have it, someone did.<\/p>\n

\"CourtesyEmily Howell, 21-year-old student with special needs, was surprised at her high school graduation party with a special appearence by Princess Belle (portrayed by Olivia Voto) and custom jewelry by Maryann Piazza. (Courtesy Maryann Piazza)Courtesy Maryann Piazza<\/p>\n

The celebration took place at La Strada Restaurant on New Dorp Lane on June 13 and when Belle arrived, Emily\u2019s face lit up.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a beautiful day,\u201d Piazza shared. \u201cIt turns out that Belle, aka Olivia Vota, stepped up to surprise Emily, who was thrilled. None of us knew each other before that day. This all came together from a Facebook post.\u201d<\/p>\n

Photos captured Emily glowing with joy, surrounded by family, friends and new acquaintances brought together by kindness and community spirit.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmily was aglow the whole time,\u201d Piazza recalled.<\/p>\n

In the end, it wasn\u2019t just a costume or a bracelet that made the day special\u2014it was the love behind them. <\/p>\n

\"CourtesyEmily Howell, 21-year-old student with special needs, was surprised at her high school graduation with a special appearence by Princess Belle (portrayed by Olivia Voto) and custom jewelry by Maryann Piazza, right. She is picutred with her parents, Susan and Mike, and her brother, Michael. (Courtesy Mike Howell)Courtesy Mike Howell<\/p>\n

A loving father\u2019s request, a generous artist\u2019s gesture, and a young woman\u2019s willingness to step into a princess\u2019s shoes\u2014literally\u2014created a moment Staten Island won\u2019t soon forget.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis young lady, who is partially blind, has limited motor skills, and has achieved this education level, is extraordinary,\u201d said Piazza. \u201cAnd I believe she should be treated like a princess herself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emily\u2019s dad, Mike Howell, is happy to have made his daughter\u2019s special day unforgettable.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s amazing how it all came together,\u201d he said. \u201cEmily grilled \u2018Belle\u2019 for for hours and Belle was on point with every question.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe funniest quote was when Belle left the party, and Emily said, \u2018Off to France she goes.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\"CourtesyEmily Howell, 21-year-old student with special needs, was surprised at her high school graduation with a special appearence by Princess Belle, portrayed by Olivia Vota, pictured, left. (Courtesy Mike Howell)Courtesy Mike Howell