Waiting for Santa
Quinton Collins (left) and Miguel Garza (right) enjoy a dance with Marble Falls Middle School secretary Karen Morris during the Highland Lakes Service League’s Christmas party Friday for special-needs adults and children. Collins and Garza are former Marble Falls High School students, but enjoyed the chance to see some of their friends and former teachers. The party commemorated its 10th anniversary this year.
MARBLE FALLS — Glenna Deskins of the Highland Lakes Service League smiled as a group of people crowded past her Friday, headed for the room where the music blared.
“If you want to know what Christmas is about, this is it,” she said. “This is the joy of Christmas.”
Deskins and the service league women hosted the 10th annual Christmas party for special-needs children and adults at the First United Methodist Church of Marble Falls, 1101 Bluebonnet Drive. More than 100 guests attended the lunch and festivities in the church’s fellowship and break-out rooms.
Marble Falls High School Life Skills teacher Kathy Gould brought her students to the event for the sixth straight year.
“This party is just wonderful,” she said. “The kids really look forward to it every year. It’s really nice because they get to see other students they don’t see very often. They get to visit with the students from the elementary and middle schools. It’s just so good for them to get out and have a fun time.”
High school student Damion Martinez wanted to make a good impression at the party, so he and his mother went shopping for a new maroon, button-down shirt.
“It’s fun,” he said. “I get to see some of my friends from last year.”
For high schooler Brittney Bowman, the annual party is a great chance to let loose on the dance floor.
“I love the dancing,” she said. “I enjoy listening to the music.”
Bowman also enjoyed seeing several MFHS Life Skills graduates such as Quinton Collins and Miguel Garza.
“I remembered them as soon as I walked in the room and saw them,” Bowman said.
Gould said that interaction with former students is also a big reason to bring her class to the event.
“It’s really important for (current students) to see those students who have graduated so they understand there are things out there (after high school) for them,” she said.
Shirley Beaudoin of Interface Recycling, which provides vocational opportunities for adults with special needs, said this party is one of the highlights of her clients’ year.
“It’s usually the only big party they get,” she said. “They begin talking about it in October.”After lunch, the guests head for the dance floor where they aren’t bashful about getting out on it. Deskins said once the children, students and adults get on the floor, they usually stay on it until the DJ starts packing things up.
“They are just so happy and full of joy,” she said. “It’s wonderful to be a part of this.”
Ten years ago Beaudoin held one of the initial special-needs parties herself along with a handful of volunteers. Shortly afterwards Donna Klaeger (now the Burnet County judge), the Seriff Foundation and the service league got involved. Now, the service league is the primary sponsor after the Seriff Foundation last year announced its operations were shutting down. The women dress in Christmas red for the party each year. The color is something the guests remember, along with the women.
“These women are so wonderful,” Beaudoin said. “My group just loves these women in red. They’ll start asking around Halloween about the women in red. The Highland Lakes Service League is just awesome. They make Christmas special for our (special needs) people.”
daniel@thepicayune.com
Photo by Daniel Clifton