Capturing Teen Team: Big & Little Sis Reveal Picnic

This season brought one of our favorite Teen Team traditions yet—the Big & Little Sis Reveal! It was the perfect mix of laughter, surprises, and sweet memories, all set against the beautiful backdrop of Fellows Riverside Gardens.

But beyond the fun and photos, this tradition holds something deeper: the comfort of sisterhood. Having a Big or Little means having someone in your corner—someone to laugh with, lean on, and grow alongside. It’s about more than just a title; it’s about knowing you’ll never walk through this experience alone.

Setting the Scene

Davinda and Lily arrived extra early to scout out the perfect spot. With the banner the Bigs had worked on in hand, they tucked themselves into a cozy area shaded just enough from the sun—ideal for photos and keeping them cool. The banner became our centerpiece, and the Bigs slipped into place behind it, ready to surprise their Littles.

Of course, no reveal goes off without a little adventure. One Big was running late and couldn’t sneak in with the rest, so we carefully guided her through the rose garden, laughing as we tried to keep her out of sight. Moments like these remind us that even the hiccups are sweeter when you have sisters by your side—proof that comfort often comes from simply knowing you’re not alone.

The Big Reveal

When it was time, the Littles stood in front of the banner facing each other while the Bigs hid behind. One by one, the Bigs stepped out and surprised their Littles with squeals, hugs, and smiles that filled the garden with excitement.

Every reveal was personal. Each Big had prepared a basket for her Little—stuffed with favorite snacks, personalized frames, small charms, and even heartfelt letters. These thoughtful touches reminded the Littles that they were known, cared for, and welcomed into something bigger than themselves.

For Haleigh Potts, the anticipation made the moment even more special:

“I was really excited for the shoot because I really wanted to know who my big sis was! The way I was feeling before was very nervous and scared I was gonna guess my big sis wrong (I guessed Paisley at first), but after I found out who my big sis was I was beyond excited to get to know her more!! … We were laughing the whole time!! I love having a big sis and a sibling because it gets me to know more of the girls and make a better connection!!”

For the Littles whose Bigs couldn’t be there, Layla and Keegan stepped up, making sure they had just as much fun—and by the end of the night, everyone was all smiles. That’s what sisterhood is about: showing up, lifting each other up, and making sure no one feels left out.

Here’s how the pairings came together this year:

Ellie Snyder – Big to Teagan Reynolds and Haleigh Potts

Paisley Nader – Big to Kyleigh Smith and Kristen Dillon

Siena Ross – Big to Emma Wagler and Emma Smith (both Littles adopted by Keegan Nelson)

Keegan Nelson – Big to Taylor Wadsworth and Allison Hards. Sadly, neither of her Littles were able to make the shoot.

Mack Richmond – Big to Riley Chonko and Rylee Stoicoiu (both adopted by Laila D’Amato)

Laila D’Amato – Big to Leah Vojtko, Chloe Quick, and Bailey Baldasare

Mia Damicone – Big to Kristlyn Kehrer and Summer Thompson

Sadie Honeck – Big to Reyna Ripley, Addy Ross, and Grace Moulton

A Big for the Bigs

While the Dream Team girls had the honor of being Big Sisters, we couldn’t leave them without a Big of their own. So Lily stepped into that role, surprising each of them with her own thoughtful touch: gift bags filled with their favorite snacks, fun sunglasses, charms, and a personalized frame for each girl. It was a sweet reminder that no matter how “big” you get, you always deserve someone to look out for you too.

Picnic & Polaroids

Once everyone found their match, each Big & Little group received their own picnic basket filled with goodies, a blanket, and a Polaroid camera. From there, they spread out across the gardens, finding the cutest little spots to sit, snack, and snap photos together.

Mia Damicone shared “I was so excited the whole time, especially right before the reveal because I couldn't wait for my littles to find out I was their big! The picnic was so fun and it gave us a chance to get to know each other better. It is definitely one of my favorite memories so far!”

Sadie Honeck had just as much fun with her group, “my favorite thing about becoming a big sis was tricking them about who I was! They were all thrown off and never ended up guessing correctly. My littles and I bonded over making TikToks. My one little thoughtfully brought cakes for all of us to enjoy and they were so delicious! Now my littles and I talk all the time!”

And for Chloe Quick, the best part was the unique connections she made, “I really really liked how I got to have adopted siblings and we got to bond over football season when it’s still warm during the day but at night it’s cooler. I was really excited to see my big and my siblings and I’m really in love with these photos.”

Everywhere we looked, we saw moments of connection: Littles leaning against their Bigs as they laughed, friends swapping snacks, and Polaroids being tucked away like keepsakes of a bond that’s only just beginning. These aren’t just photos; they’re proof that sisterhood means always having someone to share life’s simple joys with.

Living Out Sisterhood Every Day

What makes this tradition so special is that it doesn’t end at the garden. Already, the girls have been showing up for each other in countless ways. Laila woke up before sunrise to drive a long way just to decorate Addy’s porch for her birthday. Others have been helping each other pick out homecoming dresses—or simply hyping up the ones each girl has chosen. Keegan made sure her Littles who couldn’t attend the reveal still felt included by delivering their baskets in person and showing up at their events.

These are the little acts of love and loyalty that prove sisterhood isn’t just something we talk about during the reveal—it’s something we live out every day.

A Picture-Perfect Ending

The night wrapped up just as beautifully as it began—with everyone gathered near the fountain. Even as we said our goodbyes, we couldn’t resist snapping a few more photos.

It was one of those evenings you wish you could bottle up and keep forever: sunshine, friendship, laughter, and the start of a new chapter for every Big and Little pair. More than anything, it was a reminder that being part of this team means being part of a family. And just like sisters, we’ll always be there for each other—through every practice, performance, and memory still to come.