THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 15, 1994 TAG: 9412140187
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 73 lines
This Elvis Presley was as real as Santa Claus.
He was at a Christmas party last week with blue suede shoes and got Debbie Belch all shook up.
The 20-year-old woman had a tight clutch on the red scarf Presley - a.k.a. Sterling Riggs - gave her.
It was Christmas emotional, if not devotional, as Debbie danced with the Presley pretender, shedding tears of joy.
It marked the beginning of a special seasonal party for the city's special-education students, ranging from pre-school to those in their early 20s, most of whom had participated in Special Olympics.
The Cosmopolitan Club introduced these celebrations in 1986, hosting about 15 youngsters at the former John F. Kennedy High School.
This year, at the party a week ago today at Bunny's Restaurant, about 115 students and their teachers capitalized on the idea that 'tis the season to be jolly.
``The best thing was the singing - and the eating - and Santa Claus,'' said 15-year-old Derick Young.
``The best thing was the food,'' said 18-year-old Dayenum Dildy. ``I ate and I talked.''
The young guests, representing many of the city's schools, enjoyed the socializing as well as the food, entertainment and gifts.
About 320 gifts had been solicited from area stores, mostly by Cosmo member Clarence Davis, most of them from Heilig-Meyers Furniture Co.
The Cosmopolitan Club grabbed 'em, wrapped 'em and handed 'em out, eliciting still more smiles.
Smiles and laughter were commonplace - that is the idea behind these parties. But there were warm moments, too.
One of the warmest was courtesy of 18-year-old Don Bell - intent, serious as he offered an a cappella version of ``Silent Night.''
The 18-year-old obviously meant every word he sang.
``He worked very, very hard on that,'' said Ann Bunch, a qualified mental retardation professional with the Tidewater Community Services Board. ``He's in fine voice. He hit the high notes.''
There was a lot of singing, including loud, lusty versions of most of the Christmas songs as many of the celebrants gathered 'round the piano with friends new and old.
It helped to work up an appetite - good thing, since the tables were piled with sandwiches, chicken, vegetables, spreads, potato chips, desserts, drinks and all the etceteras of the season.
The food was served by members of Girl Scout Cadette Troop 336 of Holland Baptist Church.
After the food came the man in the red suit, offering an ample lap and a sympathetic ear.
``I told him I wanted something for Christmas,'' said 14-year-old Mia Barnes.
Christmas got off to a good start, thanks to the Cosmopolitan Club and its love and interest in the city's Special Olympics participants.
``The party gave them a chance to socialize - something where they don't have to think about their problems,'' said Brenda Spain, coordinator of special education for Suffolk's public schools. ``They look forward to it.
``This is Christmas to them.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MICHAEL KESTNER
ABOVE: Bill Quire, president of the Cosmopolitan Club, is surrounded
by special-education and nonspecial-ed students at the club's annual
part at Bunny's Restaurant.
LEFT: Sterling Riggs, an Elvis impersonator, serenades Jonnell
Johnson.
by CNB