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All Smiles As Rockettes Surprise North Arlington Sisters

LYNDHURST, N.J. – A pair of North Arlington sisters got the surprise of a lifetime at their Lyndhurst dance studio this week.

Sisters Breanna and Crystal Pereira were surprised when two Radio City Rockettes showed up to their dance studio Thursday.

Sisters Breanna and Crystal Pereira were surprised when two Radio City Rockettes showed up to their dance studio Thursday.

Photo Credit: Lauren Kidd Ferguson
Rockettes Taylor Shimko and Christine Sienicki visited the girls as part of the Rockettes' "Gift of Joy" initiative.

Rockettes Taylor Shimko and Christine Sienicki visited the girls as part of the Rockettes' "Gift of Joy" initiative.

Photo Credit: Lauren Kidd Ferguson
The Rockettes danced with children at The Next Step School of Dance in Lyndhurst.

The Rockettes danced with children at The Next Step School of Dance in Lyndhurst.

Photo Credit: Lauren Kidd Ferguson
The children were thrilled to dance with the pair.

The children were thrilled to dance with the pair.

Photo Credit: Lauren Kidd Ferguson
The Pereira family of North Arlington was also given tickets to the opening night of the Christmas Spectacular.

The Pereira family of North Arlington was also given tickets to the opening night of the Christmas Spectacular.

Photo Credit: Lauren Kidd Ferguson
Dozens of children participated in the surprise event.

Dozens of children participated in the surprise event.

Photo Credit: Lauren Kidd Ferguson

Breanna Pereira, 10, gave up dancing after her sister, Crystal, 4, was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at 3 years old, their mom, Sonya, told Daily Voice. Crystal has been in and out of the hospital ever since.

After seeing an ad on Facebook for a visit from the dancers, Sonia reached out to help cheer up both her daughters.

The visit to The Next Step School of Dance was part of the Rockettes’ “Gift of Joy” initiative to spread joy to fans throughout New Jersey, Connecticut and New York.

The dance studio gave Breanna a scholarship to continue dancing locally, but she had to drop out of the company that travels, Sonia said.

On Thursday afternoon, Breanna and Crystal were all smiles, as the sisters and other dancers at the studio did kick lines with the Rockettes.

The Rockettes had one more surprise for the family – tickets to the opening night of the Christmas Spectacular.

“We wanted to bring an extra gift of joy to them,” Rockette Taylor Shimko said.

The dance studio’s owner, Bonnie Walker, said the staff, parents and kids were “thrilled” for the visit.

“Every girl wants to grow up and become a Rockette,” she said.

Maybe they will.

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