David Barrios enjoys a dance at Somerville Civitan’s Special Needs Prom at Sparkman School June 2.

About 40 special needs adults and children had the time of their lives June 2 at Sparkman School’s gymnasium.

It didn’t matter whether they came dressed in formal attire or a SpongeBob T-shirt, everyone was smiling and dancing the night away during the second annual Somerville Civitans Special Needs Prom at Sparkman School’s gymnasium June 2.

“It went so well we had to turn the lights on to let everyone know that the prom was over,” said Ann Edwards, Area 3 Alabama director for Civitan International. “They were even dancing while we were cleaning up. No one really wanted to leave. It was just great to see them having such a great time. They were all smiles.”

Edwards said the Somerville club, which was chartered a few years ago, started doing this a year ago to help these adults and children have a way to see each other, especially those who have graduated from high school and are living in adult group homes.

“Some of them never get to see each other much anymore,” Edwards said. “Civitans focus on supporting the disabled and those with special needs. So this just made perfect sense to do this. I think this is actually one of our favorite events, if not our favorite.”

Volunteers from the club and the community transformed the gym from an athletic facility into a ballroom, decorated in this year’s theme “Under The Sea.”

Edwards said they hung fish and other sea animals on the walls, along with other items to fit the nautical theme. Those efforts didn’t go unnoticed by the prom’s attendees.

“It’s amazing what they notice,” Edwards said. “They complimented us on the shells on the table and every little detail on how we decorated with the Under the Sea theme. Those are things that I wouldn’t necessarily notice or pay attention to, but they do and they really show appreciation for it.”