Student Didn't Throw Away Her Shot, Wins Pair Of Hamilton Tickets

SANTA ANA, CA — What started out as an inspired idea to award tickets to 'Hamilton' to a special needs student has turned into a dream date for a young Orange County high school sophomore. Chief Dave Valentin of the Santa Ana Police Department recently shared the "Hamilton" ticket contest to every special education student in the Santa Ana Unified School District. The kids would write an essay of approximately 125 words explaining how they had "risen up" like the famed historical figure and founding father, Alexander Hamilton.

Godinez High School student Iris Pena was awarded her two tickets to the show, along with some exciting extras, on Thursday.

In her essay, Iris wrote that "despite the daily challenges" she faces having cerebral palsy, she is "inspired to work hard and believe in herself, just like Alexander Hamilton."

Read Iris's essay, here:

Due to complications at birth, I was born with cerebral palsy. While many under those circumstances some people would have a negative outlook, I am thankful to be alive and have a joyful demeanor.

I do not succumb to a mentality of victim-hood, but instead I hold myself to an incredibly high standard of excellence and not let my disability hold me back I push myself to meet and exceed the demands of my life or dreams.

My life is similar as Hamilton life as mentioned in the song "Alexander Hamilton," in the song states, "The ten dollar Founding Father without a father got a lot farther by working a lot harder, By being a lot smarter, by being a self-starter." This quote really talks to me and inspirations me to push harder like he did.

By going to this play it will enhance me to learn what he did in this aspect of his life to pursue what he wanted.

McMahon will sit beside her student when the curtain rises on "Hamilton" this weekend at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Chief Valentin and other representatives from the Santa Ana Police Department will also be on hand, sharing their support and acting as their valets before and after the show. On Saturday, the pair will be picked up, dine out at Maggiano's Italian restaurant, driving them to their evening performance by Santa Ana police escort. They will then enjoy orchestra level seats to the show, at Chief Valentin's expense.

According to Valentin, it was his daughter's constant singing of the "Hamilton" Broadway soundtrack that initially inspired him to take his family to see the show. The experience of watching the cast perform living history on stage was transformative, according to Valentin. He chose seats that are "so close, you can feel the performance," he told the students.

Seeing the Broadway performance live was "such a unique experience," he said. Of Pena, he was delighted that she will get this chance, saying, "She has had some challenges, but has risen up and faced challenges head-on and been very successful."

Congratulations, Iris!

Photo, courtesy Santa Ana Police Department