Special Needs Adults and Children Welcome at Mississippi College Carnival on the Quad

Mississippi College’s family will welcome special needs children and adults at MC’s Carnival on the Quad.

Combining games with loads of balloons, face painting, bags of popcorn, a miniature fire engine ride and much more, the annual event is set for October 24 on the Clinton campus.

Serving more than 160 special needs children and adults in Central Mississippi, Friday’s event is sponsored by the MC Psychology Department with help from campus groups. Carnival on the Quad runs from 9 a.m. until 11:15 a.m. and it’s free.

“I think it is great because people from all over campus get involved for one reason: to put smiles on kids’ faces,” says MC senior Kathryn Reed, 21, of Fultondale, Alabama. “The infectious energy the guests bring will make the campus come alive in a whole new way.”

A psychology major, Kathryn is delighted to be part of Carnival on the Quad for the fourth straight year. “All of the hard work we’ve put in preparing will be more than worth it when we see the kids.”

A psychology major, Shelby Hacker, 21, of Birmingham, Alabama, is making a strong push to encourage Choctaws student-athletes to help with this year’s event. In past years, MC clubs, tribes and student government leaders have played a big role as volunteers.

No doubt, Mississippi College students lending a hand will find it’s an uplifting experience, Shelby said. “I like seeing everybody come together. The students will have a good day, get away and have fun.”

Psychology professor Rob Ward, one of the event’s longtime organizers, is delighted to welcome Mississippi College graduate Ann Regan Bilbo return to her alma mater for this year’s carnival.

Now an attorney, Ann first spearheaded the MC event about five years ago. She left a lasting community service legacy for others at the Baptist-affiliated university to embrace, he said.

Groups like Canton-based Son Valley, a Christian ministry serving special needs adults, Jacobs Ladder Learning Center in Vicksburg, and area school districts participate in Carnival on the Quad activities.

Ward continues to reach out to metro Jackson businesses and others to make donations to the 2014 Carnival on the Quad.

For more information, contact Rob Ward at 601-925-3355 or rward@mc.edu.