McHenry’s Brittany Stokes recently received a new 1,800-square-foot living space in her basement through Make-A-Wish Foundation. McHenry High Schools’ West Campus marching band, choir and cheerleading squad helped her celebrate by surprising her on the day of her big reveal.  

Brittany has a life-threatening condition called hydroencephalitis, which causes fluid to build up in the brain, which leads to headaches. The cool, dark and quiet basement will help her with her condition, she said.

-Photos by Sue Ter Maat, Triblocal.com reporter.