Plenty of smiling faces populated the dance floor during an annual event focused on students with special needs.

Thomas County Central High School hosted a Special Needs Dance Friday, Feb. 20.  The theme was “The Roaring Twenties.”

The dance is for area special needs programs, and approximately nine different districts came for a turnout of more than 400 participants, organizers said. 

This is Thomas County’s eighth year of hosting the dance, and several local businesses and individuals donated to help make the dance a success.

“I do this dance for the smiles and because it is like the special needs prom,” Alma Simmons, dance coordinator and an assistant teacher, said. “The enjoyment of the kids is priceless. I love my job.”

Decorations such as ornate chandeliers were hung to represent the theme.  Participants also had the opportunity to dress up in appropriate period clothing.

TCCHS participant Joy McCullers enjoyed the food and the dancing.

“My favorite part was dancing with all the girls and boys because it was fun,” she said.

TCCHS student San Ousley also enjoyed dancing. She especially liked when “they played Ciara.”

“The dance is the best thing that happens at school,” TCCHS student and dance participant Chris Jones said. “We get to see all of our friends and I had a lot of fun.”

Numerous student volunteers also participated in the dance and had their own stories of what the experience meant to them.

Volunteer Megan McCardle had fun dancing with the kids.

“For me to see the smiles on their faces was the best part of the day,” she said. “I loved dancing with them. I had one girl who wanted to dance with me and only me. Seeing the smile on her face and to see those kids having fun made me so happy.”