Christmas Wish to meet Red Sox player comes true

December 9, 2006 | North Adams Transcript | By Jennifer Huberdeau

NORTH ADAMS — When 7-year-old Maya Howland put a meeting with Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek on her Christmas wish list, her parents explained to her they didn't think Santa could make the arrangements.

But today, Maya's Christmas wish is coming true, as her family travels to Boston for "Christmas at Fenway," where she will meet the Red Sox captain. A member of the fan club "Red Sox Kid Nation," she was randomly selected from thousands of children to attend the event.

For Maya, meeting Varitek is a dream come true.

"He's my favorite player," she said. "I just wrote it on my Christmas wish list, and it came true!"

Her mother, Jennifer Howland, describes Maya as a "huge" Red Sox fan.

"She can sit and watch a whole baseball game," Howland said. "She even yells at the television. She's just on cloud nine. When her dad found out, he called her at school. She told everyone, even her teacher, Mrs. Cote, who's also a big Red Sox fan."

According to the team's official Web site, members of either the Red Sox Nation or Red Sox Kid Nation who are selected to attend the event could purchase up to four tickets. Manager Terry Francona, pitcher Curt Schilling and Varitek are among the team members and alumni who are scheduled to appear.

Also going on the trip are Maya's father, Jason Howland, her 5-year-old sister, Jacy, and a family friend. Her mother can't make the trip because of a nursing-school class commitment.

But Maya, who has posters of Varitek on her bed room walls and has already made several trips to Fenway for games, is also excited about seeing someone else at the event.

"I want to see Santa, too," she said.

After all, he did come through.