Thomas County Middle School students from Kathy Payne's class recently participated in the Tutus and Tennis Shoes Fun Run sponsored by South Georgia Ballet on Saturday, September 8 held in Thomasville. Runners began at the Thomasville Center for the Arts and followed part of the course for the Rose City Walk.

This event helps to fund the Special Steps program that provides dance classes to special needs students once a week at The Thomasville Center for the Arts. Each Tuesday, students from Kathy Payne and Patty McDonald's classes benefit from this program. Students enjoy learning different types of dance from hip-hop to ballet along with essential skills such as hand-eye coordination, balance, teamwork, and following simple directions.

Pictured from left to right is Kaylee Collier, Gavin Weier, Christain Jones, and Christianna Bender following the Tutus and Tennis Shoes Fun Run.