The royal treatment

Christine Carrillo

Katrina Payne received her wish.

Spending Sunday morning at a beauty salon, dressing up in a personally

tailored gown and being escorted from her limousine into the Palm Garden

at the Four Seasons Hotel in Newport Beach while royal music played,

nine-year-old Katrina certainly received her wish.

With all eyes on her as she took her throne, wore her crown and

received a bouquet of roses from her handsome wish grantor, the Corona

del Mar resident transformed into “Her Royal Princess Katrina Payne.”

It was her wish to be a princess for a day. A wish, almost two years

in the making, that was granted, marking not only a pivotal moment in her

life, but in the lives of everyone surrounding her.

Katrina has battled with Medulloblastoma, a form of cancer, since she

was 7. She has endured numerous surgeries, radiation treatments,

chemotherapy and, despite her current cancer-free status, has more

surgeries to endure.

However, all of that was put on hold Sunday afternoon, when the

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County granted her wish.

“It’s a very important and special thing to do for kids that have to

go through what Katrina has to go through,” said Dayton Payne, Katrina’s

father. “I think it helps her self-esteem to see all her friends come to

see her.”

Decorated in a fashioned aimed at recreating a magical castle,

“Princess Katrina’s Kingdom” welcomed guests who played games, ate, drank

and simply admired the honored guest.

“It’s such a relief that people came and it all worked out,” said

Denyn Pysz, one of the wish grantors for the foundation. “She seems to be

happy.”

And with so many people working so hard to make her wish come true,

how could she not be?

Relying on gracious donations and heavy discounts, Pysz and co-wish

grantor Romney Snyder attempted to create what they thought she would

have wanted.

And they got it right, Katrina said.

While most wishes see a turnaround of three to four months, sometimes

wishes are put on hold due to the medical or health conditions of the

child, said Michelle Knight, a program coordinator for the foundation.

Having to face difficult times over the last few years, Katrina’s wish

did experience a hold or two, but her enjoyment was the most important

thing.

“This is something she will never forget,” said Marketta Payne,

Katrina’s mother. “These are all the people that have helped her through

this.”

The mission statement of the foundation, which grants the wishes of

children with life-threatening illnesses, strives to enhance human

experiences with hope, strength and joy.

For many of the people involved in helping to grant a wish, the

experience often gives back more than they give.

“It motivates me more and makes me want to do more because I

understand how difficult it can be for everyone involved,” Pysz said.

The Naranja Nation of the Indian Princesses were also motivated to get

involved.

By contributing more than $4,000 raised from various tribes, the

Naranja Nation played a significant role in making the wish come true.

“A lot of times you give money and you don’t get to see where it

goes,” said Jeff Rome, the chief of chiefs for the nation, which

represents Newport-Mesa. “Since we were able to do this, it’s nice

because we have something to show for it.”

And with all the difficulties Katrina and her family have faced,

they’ll all have something wonderful to remember.

“What she’s had to go through, she really deserves it,” said Cameron

Payne, Katrina’s 10-year-old brother.

With the two-white horse carriage, the fawning royal entourage at her

feet and the enviable attention, Katrina’s wish came true.

“When it’s a child’s wish like that and you know it’s from the heart,

it’s special,” Knight said.

* Christine Carrillo is the news assistant. She may be reached at

(949) 574-4298 or by e-mail ato7 christine.carrillo@latimes.comf7 .