Oklahoma Students Bring Hopeful Gryffindor’s Dream to Life with DIY Hogwarts

Wizarding world magic has long been a way of introducing spellbinding life lessons to Muggle classrooms. For one Oklahoma student, the enchantments were all the more real.

Seventh-grader Teague, who lost his vision at the age of five, was recently diagnosed with a degenerative condition called Batten disease. He dreamed of visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation was keen to help his dream come true, but Teague’s health would prevent him from traveling to Orlando. Not content for him to miss out, Teague’s classmates had an idea. If Teague couldn’t go to Hogwarts, they would bring Hogwarts to him.

On Halloween, after almost a month of preparation, the Oklahoma school was transformed into an academy of magic. The Great Hall beckoned, Quidditch called for a champion, and a new generation of witches and wizards were inducted as Hogwarts alumni. Together, staff and students succeeded in creating an immersive Potter experience for Teague, even designing braille nametags for the event. One of the middle school’s magical wish granters reflected on the creation.

We wanted to make everything super ‘textureful’ so he could really experience it.

Describing the surprise as “fantastic,” Teague was thrilled to have the opportunity to practice spells alongside his peers. His mom, Joey, who says that the family’s philosophy rests on making positive memories, expressed her gratitude for what would be one of the greatest yet. As for the future? Teague and his family plan to take a trip to the Grand Canyon next year, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

While many of us long to study at Hogwarts, for Teague and his friends, that goal has become a bewitching reality. It seems that magic really is all around us as, in Teague, Gryffindor welcomes its newest member.