Madison Co. special needs students to participate in ‘Big Hearts’ Pageant
BY BEN MUNRO
The Extra Special People organization will host what should be an extra special occasion this weekend.
The area group, which coordinates activities for children with special needs, is presenting its first “Big Hearts” Pageant for Special People of Northeast Georgia Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at North Oconee High School’s Auditorium.
“It’s a fundraiser, but even more than that, it’s to spotlight the abilities of people with disabilities,” said Madison County’s Joan Baird, whose daughter, Hannah, is involved with Extra Special People.
Extra Special People, which serves several special needs students from Madison County, is billing “Big Hearts as a night to let these individuals shine.”
The pageant is open to those ages five and up. Eight of the 27 contestants are from Madison County.
“The kids seem very excited,” ESP director Laura Whitaker said last week. “Many of them have a love to get in front of people and perform, so any opportunity for that is very exciting.”
Though sponsored by ESP, the evening is not just exclusive to young adults in that program.
“It’s open to anybody — children and young adults — with special needs,” explained Baird, who works closely with ESP.
All proceeds go to ESP. Admission is $7 for adults and $3 for children 10-and-under.
A silent auction will be held to raise more funds for ESP. Local entertainment will be part of the night’s festivities, too.
“Big Hearts” is designed around having these children and young adults dress up and take center stage. Each child will walk out while their bios are read aloud to the audience.
“We will have each contestant up on stage, looking their best,” Whitaker said. “As each contestant is introduced we will rant and rave on their strengths and interests.”
Baird said that contestants can dress up in church clothes, though she added that some girls might even wear formal gowns while boys might be decked out in tuxes.
Baird said her daughter, Hannah, plans to wear the same red dress her older sister, Laura, wore as a sophomore to the prom.
The MCHS teen is eagerly awaiting Saturday night.
“Yeah, definitely,” Baird said of her daughter. “She’s all excited because this is going to be her first pageant.”
The inspiration for “Big Hearts” came after some members of ESP had participated in a similar pageant in Gwinnett County. The parents of those children enjoyed that event so much, they wanted Northeast Georgia to have one of its own.
“We hope to make this an annual event that the community can expect,
attend and support our kids,” Whitaker said.
Baird said there’s no competition in this pageant, just the chance for these children and young adults to have the spotlight.
“Everyone will get this kind of prize or recognition,” she said.
The ESP program is still seeking sponsors, volunteers and entertainers for “Big Hearts.” Those interested can visit extraspecialpeople.com to register or learn more information.
The program also seeks help year-round, not just on Saturday.
“The need for ESP’s services is huge,” said Whitaker, who noted that ESP lacks continuous funding but has finances to fund its annual summer program. “We have not been able to serve all the families that would like to be involved with ESP. Due to an ever-growing waiting list, we hope to begin to raise money for expansion in order to meet the communities needs and requests.”
