Christmas party delights students

FacebookGoogle+TwitterLinkedIn

By Mary Elizabeth Dial, Staff Correspondent

The annual Christmas Party for Exceptional Children was held on Friday, Dec. 9 at Gadsden Convention Hall. The party, which was hosted by the United Steel Workers of America AFL-CIO Local No. 12, brought students with special needs from all over the county, along with their teachers and caretakers, together to celebrate Christmas and have fun.

The Sardis Middle Singers choir, which sang Christmas songs under the direction of Shannon Waits, greeted partygoers at the door. Attendees met and took pictures with local school mascots and characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse while waiting for the party to start. There was also a special chair placed next to a Christmas tree, leading many students to wonder who would occupy it later.

Organizers and educators led the students in a few Christmas sing-alongs and introduce the Dazzlers and Intrepid Sound for their respective performances. Finally, the dancers and drummers came together to lead the partygoers in a “Santa Train” conga line around the convention space.

As the students sat down to lunch, one last guest arrived and solved the mystery of the special chair: Santa Claus himself! Mr. Claus mingled with the students as they ate lunch, posed for pictures with them and even listened to their Christmas wishes.

This year marked the 65th Annual Christmas Party for Exceptional Children. It is a tradition that the “Local 12” and the Etowah County Learning Center continues each December with pride.

Latest News

St. James celebrates beloved teacher
Gadsden State hires first chief of police
Trio of events coming to town Friday, Saturday
Glencoe city leaders recognize National Library Week
Southside Public Library gearing up for summer reading program

Latest Sports News

Pratt, Ayala, Cornutt highlight All-Greater Gadsden Area boys soccer team
Westbrook’s Keene takes top honor on All-Greater Gadsden Area girls soccer team
Gadsden State cagers sign with four-year schools
Johnson leaving lasting impression at Sardis
New Gadsden City AD, coaches share vision for basketball programs