Habersham Central High School and Ninth Grade Academy special education students got a treat Tuesday morning, September 12. Chattahoochee Mountain Fair General Manager Shelley Tullis and the carnival ride operator opened up the fairgrounds especially for them so they could enjoy the fair away from the large crowds and chaos. And they did it all for free!
The students got to enjoy the same shows as everyone else, but just for them. They got to experience the entertainment from the WOW Factor Science Show as well as the HOG Diggity DOG Show. The students also visited the petting zoo.
“The Special Needs Day is the most rewarding part of this whole fair experience. To see those kids’ faces is unbelievable,” said Tullis. “They’re happy, it’s here [at the fairgrounds], and they don’t always get to experience this. That is my most rewarding event, and that will always be part of what I do.”
The principals of both schools accompanied the students and teachers.
“It’s the highlight of my year to get to come out here with these students and their teachers and just have fun and celebrate school with them,” said Habersham Central High School Principal Jonathan Stribling.
“I appreciate the ability of our students to get out and enjoy this, and their smiles today tell me everything — that they’re having fun and they are loving life!” said Ninth Grade Academy Principal David Leenman.
Leenman added, “It’s a great opportunity for them to get out and have this event all to themselves and ride as many rides as they have. I just appreciate our system supporting this day. I appreciate our teachers doing a good job of this and all that goes into this day.”
Ninth Grade Academy teacher Ginger Bridges praised the vendors.
She told Now Habersham they worked until late last night preparing for the students’ visit.
“I want to thank all of the [ride] vendors and the shows. They came out early, and they did that for these kids and made it an exceptional day!”
