For the sixth consecutive year, contestants from all across Fayette County came to participate in the Peers Are Linking Students pageant on March 24 in the Willie Duke Auditorium.

There were 40 participants in total, 20 of which who were students with special needs and 20 escorts, volunteers that are members of the club. Junior Sarah Dorr and Freshman Jacob Maples, two members of the PALS club, hosted the event for the evening.

“When they are up on stage performing their talent and they are just enjoying themselves and the crowd gets involved that’s how we know all of the work put into the event has paid off,” learning specialist Jodi Christensen said.

PALS is a club throughout all high schools in Fayette County that brings together students and the special needs community. With the help of this group, students are able to create relationships and connect with a peer that they might not have gotten the chance to meet if they were not otherwise in the club.

The contestants were led across the stage by members of the club as Dorr and Maples read off their achievements. Then, some of the contestants competed in the talent portion of the event. They sang, danced, and even signed to their favorite songs while the crowd clapped and danced along with them.

During the pageant, a silent auction took place in the auditorium lobby. Local businesses donated items for the themed baskets and single prizes. With everyone’s generous donations and bidding, PALS raised over $1,800, which will go back into the club’s funds so that they are able to participate in other events, including Special Olympics hosted by Fayette County High School on April 13.