In Keego Harbor, a local teenager’s wish came true, thanks to the magic of the Make-A-Wish foundation and a certain legendary rapper. Stanley Sekulich, a 10th grader known for his love of rap music, video games and maintaining a stellar 3.5 GPA, entered the school year with an unforgettable memory – getting to meet his idol, Eminem.
Stanley has been bravely battling Duchenne muscular dystrophy – a severe degenerative muscle disease – since he was 6 years old. Today, at 15, he relies on a wheelchair to navigate his world. Despite these challenges, Stanley’s spirits run high. A huge highlight of his life was getting to meet the iconic Detroit rapper at his restaurant, Mom’s Spaghetti, following a careful request through Make-A-Wish.
It was a really cool and once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Stanley shared. “I am grateful for everyone who was instrumental in making it happen, particularly Eminem and Make-A-Wish.
Keego Harbor families and the community were thrilled to hear about Stanley’s exciting day. The experience took a new spin on the famous Eminem song “Stan,” which tells a dark tale of extreme fandom.
Before his diagnosis, Stanley was known for his athletic prowess, especially his love for swimming. His struggle with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a condition causing progressive muscle degeneration, has led to mounting medical expenses and physical challenges.
Stanley’s fighting spirit, along with his love of video games, music, and movies, has kept him going. His father, Jeff, remains hopeful for a cure, affirming, “I’m a ‘glass half full’ kind of guy.”
Stanley’s heartwarming story further unfolded when his wish to meet Eminem was granted. The young fan, his family, and some other lucky kids were ferried over to Eminem’s restaurant, perfecting his lifelong dream. And to top it all off, he even left with a handful of Mom’s spaghetti merch, including a branded hoodie and a T-shirt with the restaurant’s menu.
Stanley’s story moved the hearts of many, and he received slew of positive responses online from fans all over the world. “Fifteen minutes with Eminem is more than what I ever dreamed of for Stanley,” shared Marina Mahmud, Stanley’s caretaker.
Stanley attended school with a new swagger after his encounter with Eminem, leaving a lasting impression on his peers. Jeff, his father, was deeply grateful to Make-A-Wish and Eminem, expressing, “The volunteers and everyone who made it happen, we can’t thank you enough. And Marshall was a class act all the way.”
Author: STAFF HERE NOVI WRITER
NOVI STAFF WRITER The NOVI STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENovi.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Novi, Oakland County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Motor City Comic Con, Michigan State Fair, and Novi Home and Garden Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Novi Chamber of Commerce and Novi Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, technology, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Stoneridge, and Daifuku North America. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
