A 92-year-old fulfills her dream of auditioning for The Rockettes.
"We were honored to create this magical moment with her," Rockette Amarisa LeBar tells PEOPLE
Mary Silvestri of Connecticut recalls several decades ago when she wanted to audition for the famous dance group but couldn't make it to New York City.
"I was supposed to be here doing what you're doing today and I couldn't make it," she said, as seen in footage shared by the world-famous dance company on social media.
"I couldn't get to New York alone and no one could take me," she explained. "So here I am today, to see you ladies and hope you all make it."
Over 800 dancers appeared at Radio City Music Hall in the Big Apple last week to audition for The Rockettes and Mary Silvestri was their special guest.
Rockette Amarisa LeBar tells PEOPLE that Silvestri's family shared her story with the dance company prior to the audition, adding, "We knew we had to be involved."
"We always love making someone's dream come true," LeBar says.
Silvestri and her family showed up at the audition to a warm welcome. Lebar had a moment to chat with Silvestri and even showed her the 'iconic' Rockettes pose for a photograph.
"To see the joy on her face throughout this experience was something that really touched my heart," LeBar says. "I was so happy to be a part of it."
A video footage from last week's event also showed Silvestri doing some kicks while wearing a bib with the number "813" printed on it.
"We were honored to create this magical moment with her," LeBar tells PEOPLE.
Mary offered some wise words to the hopeful dancers after the auditions: "Just keep moving, keep going, and keep going to dancing school," she said. "Do your routine and enjoy it. You have to enjoy what you're doing."
Hearing Silvestri's story, LeBar says, has reminded her of how "lucky and grateful" she is to be a Rockette. And seeing Silvestri fulfill her dream, she adds, "is something that meant as much to us as it did to her."
"I loved making Mary's dream come true," LeBar tells PEOPLE. "It's always an honor to see the impact we have on people all over the world."
Silvestri's story serves as inspiration that it is never too late to fulfill a lifelong dream. You just have to take the steps to get there.
Source: People.com