DANIELSON--Ashley LeBeau became the first Special Olympics athlete from Connecticut to sing the national anthem at Fenway Park on Tuesday night, a long-held dream of hers.
"I felt like a superstar," said LeBeau.
LeBeau, 21, was born with a rare genetic disorder called Williams Syndrome. She said it has been her dream for the last five years to sing at Fenway.
"Close to the end when I was singing, I almost started crying because I was so very happy and I was overwhelmed by everything," said Ashley LeBeau.
The opportunity to sing was made possible by Special Olympics CT, which contacted Ashley's mom Karen for a tape of Ashley singing.
"This was a big dream of Ashley's, so for her to actually have this come true, I mean, there are no words to put with that," said Karen LeBeau.
Both Karen and her husband Randy, their son Michael and several of Ashley's friends were at Fenway to share in the special moment with Ashley. Karen said Special Olympics gave Ashley the confidence to sing in front of such a large crowd.
"She knew what she needed to do," said Karen. "She was so excited about doing it. And her excitement overrode her anxiety. She got out there and she did it."
LeBeau said she is thankful to everyone who supported her dream, and now wants to sing the national anthem at a Patriots game.
