Story by student reporter Megan Butler

Students got their groove on and traveled back to the 1950s for an unforgettable event at Thomas County Central High School. Hundreds of students from Thomas and neighboring counties participated in the annual Special Needs Dance on Friday, Feb. 24. “Every year, more than 350 students with disabilities from across seven South Georgia counties come to our Special Needs Dance,” special education teacher Todd Wilson said. This year, the students were able to enjoy a Sock Hop themed dance. Many came dressed in their ‘50s attire, such as pink poodle skirts, high ponytails and glossy black and white shoes.

Faculty and staff within TCCHS come together every year to create this unforgettable dance for the special needs students. They want these students to have the same experience as anyone else. Many special needs students do not attend prom or homecoming, so this day is an unforgettable experience for them. TCCHS students look forward to the event each year. “They start talking about it on the first day of school,” Wilson said. “A week will not go by without someone in my class talking about it.” Getting out on the dance floor is the most favorable aspect of the dance for many students. “I was able to show off my dance moves and request my favorite songs from the deejay,” freshman Tyerlyn Jones said of this year’s event. Everyone is invited to participate, including teachers. “Everyone is very nice and wants to dance with me,” senior Kadeshia Joyce said. Junior Deocativon Sumner said “listening to all the different types of music” was his favorite part of the dance. Many friendships are made during this function and everyone dances together. “I met new friends from other schools,” sophomore Dustin Johnson said. TCCHS also supplied drinks and snacks to all of the attending students. A wide variety of foods were enjoyed by all participants. “[The dance is] a lot of fun,” sophomore Tomeah Brock said. “You can dance and eat all you want.” The dance lasted for three hours. Senior Jalisha Cox mentioned “you will be tired from dancing” by the end.  

Wilson hopes this special time “bridges the gap between our mainstream students and our special needs students.” “Having the opportunity to be a part of this dance is something our special needs students will always remember about their high school days at Thomas County Central,” he said.