By Kathryn Roethel

Fifteen-year-old Lauren knows the words to all the songs in Disney Channel’s original movie, “High School Musical.” But when her wish took her to meet the film’s cast and crew at the premiere of “High School Musical 2,” Lauren learned that her idols truly mean what they sing, “We’re all in this together.”

Lauren, who was diagnosed with ataxia ocular motor apraxia, a nervous system disorder, felt like a celebrity herself during her week-long wish in Anaheim, Calif. Her first glimpse of her small-screen heroes came at the “High School Musical 2” parade at the Disneyland® Resort. Disney provided Lauren and her family with special viewing, so she could join the chorus of thousands of screaming teenage girls during the parade. But she was about to do what most of the other fans could only dream about: enjoy a private meet-and-greet with the cast.

When Lauren entered the Napa Rose restaurant at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel®, she was delighted to find that it had been transformed into a headquarters for East High, the musical’s school home. Lauren took her seat at a table reserved especially for her, and it wasn’t long before Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens (starring as Troy and Gabriella in the movie) were seated beside her.

“Lauren was ecstatic and smiled ‘til her face almost split in half,” Lauren’s dad, Brian, said.

A parade of “High School Musical” stars followed Zac and Vanessa, each stopping at Lauren’s table to chat, take pictures and sign a star-struck Lauren’s autograph book. Hudgens penned “You’re so beautiful. Rock on Girl, Vanessa Hudgens.” And Efron, Lauren’s favorite, wrote “All my love, Thanx 4 Coming.”

Even Kenny Ortega, the movie’s producer, director and choreographer, visited Lauren’s table. Lauren’s dad recalled, “He was so sincere almost to the point of tears. He took off his hat and said to Lauren, ‘Lauren, this is the first ‘High School Musical 2’ hat I have had, and I’m giving it to you.’ Then he signed it and put it on her head.”

With the smiles from the afternoon still lighting up her face, Lauren and her family were off to the next star-studded event: the “High School Musical 2” world premiere. Lauren was invited to walk the blue carpet (blue to match the movie’s summer theme), and the throngs of fans and media cheered loudly for her, just as they did for her famous new friends.

“Tears come to my eyes when I remember that moment – that for one moment in her life she got to feel so special, that people weren’t just looking at her because she is in a wheelchair, but they were clapping and saying ‘Yeah Lauren!’” Brian said.

All told, Lauren counted seeing 33 stars during the “High School Musical 2” premiere and post-premiere pool party. She went home with more photos and autographs than she could count and even more wonderful memories.

Following her wish, Lauren’s parents, Brian and Jenny, wrote a thank-you note to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and conveyed their sincere gratitude to Disney. “Each Disney person expressed such compassion, from the bellman at the Paradise Pier Hotel to the senior vice president, Kerry Chandler…I was so impressed,” Brian said. “August 14 was a day that we will talk about for the rest of our lives.”

The Walt Disney Company and the cast and crew of “High School Musical 2” helped make wishes come true for 16 wish kids. Eleven kids wished to visit the movie’s set, and five, including Lauren, wished to attend the premiere. Disney Channel also created a fun and heartwarming feature about the wish kids’ day on the set, which aired as part of the “Road to High School Musical 2” previews. You can watch that feature here on wish.org.