• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2026 ABC News
  • Family

Sisters burst into tears as school mascot is revealed to be military dad

0:39
Sisters burst into tears as school mascot is revealed to be military dad
WTVD
ByNicole Pelletiere
December 25, 2018, 9:12 AM

A set of twin sisters received an early Christmas gift on Monday, as their military father surprised them while disguised as a school mascot.

During a basketball game, Technical Sgt. Anthony Pasco of the U.S. Air Force pulled off his dolphin mask at Durant Road Middle School in Raleigh, North Carolina on Dec. 17. Pasco is stationed in Texas and hadn't seen his daughters since April.

Zoe and A'nina Pasco were surprised by their dad, Technical Sgt. Anthony Pasco of the U.S. Air Force, on Dec. 17, 2018.
Courtesy Paula Washington

"I was overcome with emotion myself," mom Paula Washington told "Good Morning America." "They say military families [should] stay strong. But that's the build-up they had inside of them. They are daddy's girls."

Zoe and A'nina Pasco were cheering at their school basketball game when the mascot was revealed to be their dad.
WTVD
Zoe and A'nina Pasco were surprised by their dad, Technical Sgt. Anthony Pasco of the U.S. Air Force, on Dec. 17, 2018.
WTVD

Washington said the girls, A'nina and Zoe, 14, were expecting to fly out to Texas to see Pasco before Christmas, but he came to North Carolina to surprise them instead.

Editor’s Picks

Mom's creative Santa letter reschedules Christmas for parents who work on Dec. 25

  • Dec 10, 2021

2-year-old shoots baskets behind his head without breaking eye contact with mom

  • Dec 20, 2018

ABC affiliate station WTVD caught the heartfelt moment on camera.

Zoe and A'nina Pasco were cheering at their school basketball game when the mascot was revealed to be their dad, Sgt. Anthony Pasco of the U.S. Air Force.
WTVD

"It was almost like Christmas morning when you open presents," Pasco told "GMA" of the reunion with his girls. "When I saw their faces, it was literally something I'll never forget."

Zoe and A'nina Pasco are seen here in this undated file photo.
Courtesy Paula Washington

A'nina and Zoe have flown to Texas to celebrate Christmas with their dad and brother Elijah, 11. They'll return home on the 23rd to spend Christmas with their mom in Raleigh.

Editor’s Picks

Mom's creative Santa letter reschedules Christmas for parents who work on Dec. 25

  • Dec 10, 2021

2-year-old shoots baskets behind his head without breaking eye contact with mom

  • Dec 20, 2018

Up Next in Family—

Doctor delivers 2 sets of twins on his 34th birthday

April 14, 2026

'Duck Dynasty' star Sadie Robertson Huff opens up about 8-month-old daughter's choking incident

April 13, 2026

Wife remembers husband who died saving kids from rip current

April 8, 2026

Parents of 3 open up about facing cancer together at the same time

April 8, 2026

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2026 ABC News