HPU Students Co-Host Special Pops Valentine’s Dance for People with Disabilities
High Point University’s student chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) co-hosted a special populations Valentine’s Day Dance on Feb. 11 to spread love to individuals with intellectual or physical disabilities. HPU student Madison Kettke, left, danced along with participants at the special populations Valentine’s Day Dance.
HIGH POINT, N.C., Feb. 14, 2025 – High Point University’s student chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) co-hosted a special populations Valentine’s Day Dance on Feb. 11 to spread love to everyone. Students led adaptive bingo games, craft making and dancing in addition to sharing snacks, pizza and popcorn at the Morehead Recreation Center for a fun night to get people into the holiday spirit.
The well-loved tradition between HPU’s CEC and High Point Parks and Recreation’s ASPIRE (Adaptive Sports, Programs and Inclusive Recreation) unit has provided holiday events to connect with, build friendships and support individuals with intellectual or physical disabilities in the High Point community for the past 18 years. HPU’s CEC consists of students from across campus with a common interest in promoting awareness and providing support for individuals with disabilities.
“Our ASPIRE unit through Parks and Recreation is very grateful for the wonderful relationship with High Point University,” ASPIRE Program Coordinator Stephanie Hedgecock said. “The partnership we have with them through the dances promotes inclusion and acceptance.”
CEC Co-President Kaitlyn Townsley, a senior special education adapted curriculum major from High Point, created bingo cards with visual images to adapt to the needs of any participant who can’t read but can react to the pictures and win Valentine’s-related prizes.
“The HPU students play a very important part here,” Townsley said “We are responsible for the food, the desserts and crafts. I know how important it is to interact with the community. Most of our members are education and special education majors, but we have people from all over campus to help with this.”
Norah Danner, co-president of HPU’s CEC, is an English major with a double minor in education studies and legal studies who will graduate in December.
“It feels good to get out into the community and really make these connections,” said Danner, who is from Lewisville, North Carolina. “A lot of us who have been in the CEC for a few years know the kids who come to these dances. We love seeing them here. We also get to go out to the schools to shadow and observe. I feel like we’re really connected to the education system in High Point and Guilford County.”
Sarah Geller, a senior special education adapted curriculum major from West End, Florida, has participated in these holiday dances since her freshman year.
“High Point University’s main message is: What we get given to us, we should be putting out to our community,” Geller said. “It’s so important to work with absolutely everyone in our community regardless of anything about them. It’s part of my core values. There’s something special about bringing a whole community together. Regardless of the holiday or time of year, this is a place of togetherness and unity. I can’t remember my experience at High Point University without the Council for Exceptional Children being a part of it. Just as we have our university community, this community is the most special to me.”