A pair of sisters who were inspired to achieve good grades after their parents’ shock deaths at the start of the school year were given an emotional reward when they were surprised with their first-ever trip to Disneyland.
Destiny Falsetta, 17, and her sister Kaylee, 12, lost their mom and dad in tragic circumstances in August 2023.
According to reports from the time, dad Charles Anthony Falsetta Jr., 40, was suspected of killing mom Kristina Vladislavich, 39, before taking his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The experience was highly traumatic for Destiny and Kaylee, their aunt, Raianne, 39, who later became their legal guardian, said.
When the pair were not focused on schoolwork when they moved in with Raianne’s family, their aunt gave them and her children a financial incentive: everyone who achieved As and Bs would receive $100.
Raianne, from Las Vegas, Nevada, said there was also a big prize that would be rewarded if all children did well over the school year.
Despite the odd C here and there, the two girls and Raianne’s children – Aaron, Aliraya and DJ – achieved their best grades ever, and so the loving mom and aunt decided to work on the big prize she had promised secretly.
Though money was tight, Raianne was determined to reward the girls and decided to purchase tickets for their first-ever visit to Disneyland.
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Then with all five kids sat around their kitchen table and were encouraged to open pieces of paper they were each holding.
On the paper, they read, “You’re going to Disney!” to which one of the children said, “I might actually cry!”
Raianne later shared the video on her TikTok channel, where the clip received more than 400,000 views and hundreds of loving comments that praised the girls’ strength.
The family then headed to Disneyland over two days in August.
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Rainne said: “When I was recording and giving them a speech I felt so overwhelmed with emotion and I was just so proud.
“I almost lost it, but DJ made me laugh when he was opening his and helped me keep it together.
“The support and love we received on social media was truly unexpected, and it’s so nice to have people remind you that what you’re doing is inspiring.
“Sometimes I just feel like it’s the least I can do when the girls suffered such great losses.
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“They were all beyond thankful and ecstatic for their first Disneyland trip.
“I just hope to inspire others who are going through a difficult time that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“And if you’re able to make a difference in someone’s life, you should take the opportunity because there is no greater feeling.
“When we went to Disneyland, it was truly a magical experience for everyone, and I’m just thankful to be a part of their first Disney trip and the memories that will last a lifetime.”