Watch as Army Daughter Shocks Family with Touching Christmas Reunion

A Maricopa Wells Middle School student experienced an unexpected holiday miracle on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. Sariah DeCluette was reunited with her oldest sister, Pvt. Ariel DeCluette, a recent Maricopa High School graduate currently stationed at Fort Jackson in South Carolina.

The reunion was orchestrated by their parents, William and Nicole DeCluette, in collaboration with MWMS Principal Thad Miller. This heartwarming surprise took significant planning, as the family sought to create a memorable moment during Sariah’s school day.

“Mr. Miller contacted Maricopa Unified School District to capture the moment,” Nicole shared. “Ariel, my oldest of five children, is serving an eight-year enlistment, and her father and I are incredibly proud of her.”

Staff from MUSD were on hand to photograph and record the heartfelt event. Currently on holiday leave, Ariel was able to return home for a short time after beginning her basic training on October 1.

Nicole revealed that maintaining the secret from Ariel’s siblings—Angelique, 15, William, 14, and Uriah, 9—was challenging. The emotional strain was evident as the holidays approached. “It was very hard to keep the secret,” she admitted. “As Christmas got closer, the kids really missed her. My youngest son cried during our last call because he was so sad she couldn’t come home.”

This touching family reunion was a reminder of the sacrifices made by service members and the joy of family connections during the holiday season. Watch the live reaction: