43
Special students celebrate holidays
By christine keeling
canfield
Special-needs students in the school district ate, danced and sang Wednesday’s school day away, as they celebrated their 16th annual Christmas party at A La Cart Catering in Canfield.
The yearly party is in honor of the late James and Coralie Centofanti.
“My mom wanted [the party] to continue,” said David Centofanti, “and after she passed in 1999, my dad continued it on.”
After his wife, Coralie died, James contributed money for the Christmas celebration each year. When he died in 2010, he asked that money he donated earlier be used to continue the tradition. David and/or his wife, Kelly, attend each year.
Kids of all ages attended as well as school officials, teachers and aides.
The Centofantis owned Canfield Equipment for 45 years and donated to a various organizations, including the Little Cardinals youth football league and Mill Creek MetroParks, said Dante Zambrini, the district’s superintendent.
David believes his parents sponsored the party each year because of their love for children. Coralie Centofanti had friends who had children with special needs, he said.
“Mom said it was the best party,” said David.
Shada Ali, 12, looked excited about the afternoon of fun. “We’re gonna party all night,” she said.
Shada was just one of many students who danced to music played by George Malich, computer technician for the schools.
Amy Joachim, speech therapist, prepared books with words to Christmas carols and pictures of dance moves for the students, and seventh-grader Nicky Hutchinson performed the song “Dynamite” for his classmates.
The highlight of the afternoon was the arrival of Santa Claus. He passed out gifts to each of the children.
“It’s a very special day,” said Josie Homsey, event coordinator and secretary to the director of special services at the school district.
Additional funding for the party comes from local businesses and community members. A La Cart Catering donated the space and linens.