Demopolis Middle School students traveled to Hawaii today but never left Marengo County.

The students participated in the first Hawaii-50 Luau, an event held at the Demopolis Civic Center to reward students for perfect attendance in the first 50 days of school.

Blaine Hathcock said the idea for the event came from something he saw done at the school he worked for previously.

“We want our students to learn, we can’t teach them if they are not there,” he said about the event designed to promote attendance.

Meggin Mayben, eighth grade history and art teacher, took a lead in organizing the event and said she is thankful for all the teachers effort in planning the event.

“I had plenty of help on this event,” she said. “We had retired teachers to come and help decorate and help serve.” The retired teachers included Elynn Dickerson and Rosemary Luckie.

A total of about 207 students out of the school’s total enrollment of 561 participated in the event, which was filled with games, food and music.

Keeping with the luau theme, students were able to partake in a roasted pig as their main course.

“Hopefully, this is something we can build on and grow on,” Hathcock said. “I really hope the students have a good time.”