HIGH POINT, N.C., Feb. 11, 2016 – High Point University’s Student Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) hosted a Valentine’s Day Dance for individuals with disabilities from the High Point community on Feb. 9 at the Morehead Recreation Center. High Point Parks and Recreation and Wheatmore High School students co-hosted the event with HPU.
For the past six years, the organization has hosted similar dances for every holiday with food and crafts for all attendees to enjoy. With smiles all around at the event, HPU student Christina Honeycutt, organizer of the event, reflected on how this makes these people feel important and respected for the individuals that they are.
“There is no better feeling than seeing the smiles on these people’s faces,” said Honeycutt. “There is still a stigma for people with disabilities and that is something that I really want to change. For every event that we host, we get more and more HPU student volunteers. It means a lot to these people.”
Each participant with disabilities also took home decorated picture frames, Valentine’s Day cards and magnets that they made.
“I always have so much fun at these dances,” said Erica Lichtenberger, attendee of the event. “I love to hang out with my friends and dance. My favorite song about love is ‘Achy Breaky Heart’; I hope they play it.”
“Members of High Point University’s Student Council for Exceptional Children love planning and organizing events for individuals with disabilities,” said Teresa Owens, instructor of special education at HPU. “Being a part of these events alongside High Point Parks and Recreation allows us to positively impact our community as well as the individuals who attend the dances. We hope to see the events grow bigger and better every year.”