UGA marching band invites Savannah teen with Down Syndrome to Friday night rehearsal

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The University of Georgia’s marching band invited a Savannah teenager with Down Syndrome to join them during their Friday night rehearsal, creating a weekend the family will never forget.

18-year-old Ethan Shreck loves to play the drums and listen to the University of Georgia’s marching band whenever he can. This weekend, a dream he never thought possible came true.

Special weekend brings family together

“It was just an incredible weekend that he nor my family will ever forget,” said Traci Shreck, Ethan’s mom.

The Georgia marching band welcomed Ethan Shreck to be their guest drum major for Friday night’s practice.

“My favorite part is definitely drum major and standing up in the ladder and directing of the band,” Ethan said.

“Getting to go do it and in person with the real band and them treating him like they did was just incredible,” Traci Shreck said.

UGA’s Red Coat rehearsal

Ethan spent the entire practice helping the Red Coats rehearse for their Saturday night performance behind the hedges.

“He actually directed the entire band with the drum major right beside him,” Traci Shreck said.

Completing the weekend for Ethan, three strangers gifted the Shrecks season tickets so Ethan could watch his favorite team play on the big stage.

“My favorite team is Georgia. It was so incredible,” Ethan said.

“It was just a blessing and it was just like a connect the dots with all of these strangers that just really blessed Ethan and our family and we are just we have a lot to be thankful for,” Traci Shreck said.

Ethan and his family said they are thankful for everyone coming together and making this weekend one they will never forget.

They also say “Go Dawgs.”