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Vashti Center invites Thomasville in attempt to break world record for mental health awareness

Thomasville Times-Enterprise - 5/1/2022

Apr. 30—THOMASVILLE — To raise awareness for children's mental health in May, the Vashti Center is inviting everyone to the Ritz Amphitheater on May 6 to attempt to break the Guinness World Record for "Most People Dressed Like a Butterfly."

According to Alexandria English, the training and development manager for the Vashi Center, the record to beat was set back in March 2020.

"The record was last done in March 2020," she said, "Right before the pandemic hit, at an elementary school in New Jersey. That record was for 367 people. So, we just have to beat that number."

English said that they've been marketing the event for weeks with the help of Adele Creative and that the local school systems and surrounding counties have been getting invested, with some school groups even holding butterfly costume creating contests.

With 500 currently pre-registered attendants to the event, English said that the event was drawing in a lot of attention.

It's just a really cool thing they haven't seen in Thomasville before, she said.

The Vashti Center has been in operation since 1903 and has sought to provide aid to the youth of the local community.

"During that time we've always been committed to serving children in some capacity." Elijah Miranda, the executive director of the Vashti Center, said. "In our current form, we have a residential program for children here on our campus that serves 35 children from all over the state."

The center also offers a community clinic that spans six counties, including Thomas, Books, Colquitt, Mitchell, Decatur and Grady. They also have the Resiliency Clubhouse, a therapeutic program designed to help youth with mental health needs.

This attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record, according to Miranda, is just one way they want to break the stigma around children struggling with mental health issues and educate the community in the resources that are available for them.

"Which kind of ties into our event, really. It's just one of those ways of raising awareness around children's mental health," he said.

Miranda said that the Vashti Center wants to encourage a transformation in those they help — their logo of a butterfly represents this positive change for children who have undergone trauma.

"We want our children to realize that they can be like butterflies, that they can transform into this beautiful thing," he said.

Beginning at 5:30 p.m. on May 6, all participants will have to consent to Guinness World Record release forms and will be separated into smaller pods organized by official stewards in attendance at the event.

According to English, the stewards would not be Guinness World Record officials, but rather would consist mostly of Vashti board members who will be helping keep everyone in order.

The stewards will make sure that all participants in their respective pods meet the criteria of the world record, which includes antennae, wings, and having their torso, arms, and legs covered in single color clothes.

Aerial photography from an official drone, witness statements and other evidence will then be sent to Guinness World Record officials to certify a successful attempt.

Payton Fletcher can be reached at 229-226-2400, ext. 1826

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