Dripping Springs teenager gets her wish

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas (KXAN) - The Make-A-Wish Foundation has been making dreams come true for youngsters with life threatening illnesses since 1980. 

Now it is Tara Penton's turn. The Dripping Springs teen is going to the London Olympics.

Tara, now 17, was diagnosed three years ago with soft-tissue cancer. A short time later, she was contacted by Make-A-Wish Foundation. It took her some time to choose.

"I didn't want a trip to Disney World or anything like that," she said.

Then Tara realized she's a natural athlete and soccer fan. "I had to watch World Cup to finally realize I wanted to go," she said.

Tara's parents are going, too. Her dad, Mark Penton said, "Make-A-Wish does great things for these kids, makes them forget about their issues and have fun."

"The best part is definitely spending time together -- it's been a rough three years. Now we can get away and forget everything," her mother, Sandra Penton, added.

Tara paused before saying, "It's a lousy situation to be in but at least some good comes of it. I'm going to be so pumped. I'll be sporting fan paint all over my face and screaming."