For the 20th year, Kennesaw Mountain High School will be hosting a dance for Cobb County School District’s special needs students on Monday.
This dance hosts about 800 students from district middle and high schools, giving them the opportunity to socialize in an inclusive and safe environment.
The event, set up and funded by the KMHS student government association, symbolizes the sense of respect that the school district holds toward its special needs students. The dance takes several months of planning.
“The minute [the students] get off that bus, you can see their faces light up,” CCSD Director of Special Education Brenda Carter said. “We have the student volunteers for the event cheering them on the whole way into the building.”
In order to accommodate the hundreds of students who will be at the dance, a host of student volunteers are necessary to help set up all the various amenities at the dance. Through donations, planning and attention to logistics, KMHS student volunteers help create an entertaining environment.
This year, the volunteers have helped create an Atlantis-themed event. The walls will be lined with artwork and decorations to exude a classic high school experience. While the event will begin with the students making a grand entrance, it will end with a balloon drop to celebrate the inclusiveness of the event.
Although there will be a DJ at the dance to enhance the excitement of the event, there will also be a room reserved for students with sensory needs. In this room, the KMHS orchestra will accommodate these students with soft, classical music.
“Our student volunteers view these [special needs] students as no different from themselves,” Carter said. “They see them as kids having a great time at a dance.”
Much like the homecoming and prom dances of the typical high school experience, the event will include photo booths, food and games.
Sofia Castro, KMHS president said setting up the dance would not be possible without the support of the community, school administration, and student volunteers.
Each Sunday we write about a deserving person or charity events such as fun-runs, volunteer projects and other community gatherings that benefit a good cause. To submit a story for us to cover, email us at ajc.doinggood@gmail.com.
