STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Kaylee Wieber's dream is to visit Disney -- so she can show the princesses her long hair.

But the 17-year-old's meet-and-greet with Elsa is on hold: First, Kaylee's gotta compete in July 8's inaugural Miss Special Staten Island pageant.

Contestants in the upcoming event -- the first of its kind for borough gals living with disabilities -- gathered recently for an afternoon of free pampering in preparation for competition.

Calling her daughter a "gift from above," proud mama Helena Wieber beamed as Kaylee tried on clothes and whipped her freshly curled locks.

"We are very excited to do this pageant, and I'm so glad that they are able to do this for children with special needs, to even include them in something like this," Helena said. "They aren't left out, they get to feel special, and they can show that they do have abilities. They do get to feel beautiful."

The day of mini-makeovers was organized by Karyn Turner, director of the Miss Special S.I. and Miss Special Richmond County pageants, and Jaclyn Tacoronte of JMT Media. Their new looks were captured in promotional headshots courtesy of award-winning borough photographer Lance J. Reha.

Along with the photo op, the gals got to wear hand-picked fashions from Boutique Boutique NYC of Richmond Valley, and receive fresh hairstyles and light makeup from Elan Hair & Nails of Elm Park.

"Our business is about making everyone feel beautiful with what they wear every day, so we are proud to partner with the contestants and Miss Special Staten Island," says Terri Cote, owner of Boutique Boutique NYC, who penned handwritten notes and donated gift bags with bracelets, bath bombs, and more to help prep for the pageant.

"One of the reasons why it was near and dear to my heart was because my sister has a learning disability," said Tacoronte, in an emotional moments. "So for these kinds of events to be accessible and available, I think it builds so much self-confidence. I'm so blessed that in my business I can connect for-profit and non-profits."

Bottom-line, this is a bright spot for the entire borough, said Stacie Koutras, one of the owners of Elan Hair & Nails. "Everybody needs to feel confident and empowered no matter the situation, so I think that doing this and having this as a part of our community is just so important for everyone involved."

BEAUTY IN ALL ITS FORMS: Emma Duke, 22, and her mother, Anyin, were admittedly amped for the pageant, the first of its kind for borough women with disabilities. "This event [not only] brought us over to the other side of the island," Anyin said, "but it also gets us ready for the pageant and adds onto our spirits!"

Anyin also spoke eagerly of the upcoming showcase of her daughter's dance skills, which she practices each evening. Emma plans to perform a dance routine to tribal music in an African modern outfit.

Jeanette Schulman, mother of 19-year-old Lana, joked that her daughter was a seasoned pro when it came to receiving beauty treatments: "She just had a formal the other day, and she was a bridesmaid in a wedding."

On a more serious note, Schulman said, "I think it gives our kids the opportunity to feel like just like everyone else and included. Just getting dressed up and feeling pretty makes them feel good."

Peggy Marrow and her daughter Katie, 15, spoke of her talent portion as well--a rendition of "Remember Me" from Coco.

"It's my favorite because it's a beautiful song!" Katie exclaimed as she made a heart sign with her hands. A Great Kills High School freshman with a bubbly personality; when asked for any last comments she would want included in this article, she exclaimed, "Pretty please, put me [in the paper]!"

In a moment of solidarity celebrating diverse beauty in all its forms, Miss Black Staten Island 2018 winner Kalima McCollum showed up to support the gals at Boutique Boutique: "I like this event. It gives [the girls] a chance to come out of their shells, they are all so sweet."

45 YEARS IN THE MAKING: Miss Special S.I. founder Turner said she's been championing this project since 1971, when she first spoke to Assemblywoman [Elizabeth Anne] Connelly. (During her own pageant days, Turner served as first legislative assistant for Connelly.)

"I asked her, 'Isn't it strange that the girls that are disabled...don't really have a pageant? Because everyone deserves to be a queen for a day,'" said Turner. Well, 45 years later, she could no longer wait and took initiative to create the Miss Special S.I. and Miss Special Richmond County pageants in collaboration with her non-profit, Kaleidoscope Mode, Inc.

Tacoronte, who also serves as a board member of On Your Mark (a foundation dedicated to providing services for children and adults with disabilities), said "It takes a lot of courage to even go onstage, so we want them to feel like beauty queens for the day."

Susan Guido, mom of 13-year-old Sofia, said, "We figured we'd give it a shot and let Sofia try out and she's loving it, it's making her feel special."

Photographer Reha of LJR Photography said, in comparison to his other projects, "This is more fun with a personal feel to it. I have a sister-in-law who has special needs, too ... it feels good to give back to this community in a small but meaningful way."

ALL-AGES ACCESS: The pageant is open to all women of special needs. In addition to the teens who are participating, Vernel Black, 28, and Leigh Trezza, 33, are ecstatic about the opportunity to showcase their talents and beauty.

Black, who graduated from Marymount Manhattan College and most recently received a Master's Degree for her studies in photojournalism, said "People say that [individuals living with special needs] aren't capable of certain things, but we can really do anything."

Trezza is also excited to participate in her first-ever pageant. She's planning to sing "It's Too Late" by Carol King and "You're Still the One" by Shania Twain.

"It's not if you win or lose," she said. "It's about having fun!"

The Miss Special Staten Island Pageant takes place on Sunday, July 8 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at Nicotra's Grand Ballroom in the Hilton Garden Inn, 1100 South Ave., Bloomfield. Tickets are $35-$40 at EventBrite.com.