Frustrated in his dream of becoming an air Force pilot, a southern California truck driver gets himself airborne anyway with the help of a lawn chair and 42 helium-filled weather balloons.

So when Polina heard her name called, she rose from her chair and felt herself propelled to the stage as if by the cumulative force of her parents' dreams.

But the C.O.S force Lincoln into the chair and strap down his arms and legs.