Third Grader Surprised by Sister back from Navy Tour

A Fresno third grader gets a big surprise at school.

Her sister who's been serving overseas returned home.

The family and the school came up with a special way to bring the two sisters together after more than a year apart.

The older sister, Wendy Tabora, has actually been home for two days. And she waited to see her sister so that her little sister could get a big surprise.

Third graders at Pyle elementary in Fresno gathered around picnic tables.

They didn't know it at the time, but they were part of a big surprise for eight year old Stephania.

“I wanted to surprise my eight year old sister by coming to her school and letting her know I was here,” said Wendy Tabora.

Tabora has been in Japan for the past two years, serving in the Navy.

She arrived home over the weekend, but waited to see her sister, so she could surprise her.

“I know she's very proud of me and she's very excited to see me. She always Skypes me she always calls asking when I'm coming home. I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to surprise her at school,” Tabora said.

As Stephania sat with her class, Wendy came around the corner.

“Do you know who helped me? Your principal, mom, the news people, this is all a surprise for you,” Tabora said as Stephania gave her a hug.

Stephania was overwhelmed by the cameras and the attention, but overjoyed with the reason why: “I'm really happy to see my sister today,” Stephania said.

Even her classmates know how much Stephania missed her big sister. 

“She's all: I miss her so much, she's in the Navy, I just wish she would come back,” said Stephania’s classmate Jasmine Garcia.