Most people have the opportunity to experience the anticipation and excitement of a spectacular prom night, whether through their high school, church, or other organization – but what about people with special needs? Do they ever get a night like that to remember? The Tim Tebow Foundation is committed to celebrating people with special needs, and in doing so, puts on an annual event called Night to Shine to give people with special needs ages 16 and older the ability to have their own unforgettable prom experience centered on God’s love.
This year on February 12, more than 200 churches in 48 states and 7 countries hosted Night to Shine. More than 32,000 honored guests and 70,000 volunteers shared the same amazing prom experience on the same night around the world. On that night here in Clemson, SC, I was a date for one of the honored guests at the Night to Shine event hosted by the ALIVE Wesleyan Church. Everyone was dressed to the nines, ready for the red carpet that lined the entrance. People surrounded the red carpet clapping and taking pictures of each guest who arrived. Guests received either a crown or tiara as a reminder that although this was their special night to shine, everyday God sees each one of us as a prince/princess. There were rooms to have your shoes shined, make-up or hair done, and even a room full of prom dresses to choose from if a guest didn’t have a dress or wanted a different one. Throughout the night, guests were able to dance on the large dance floor, take a ride in a limo, sing their hearts out at a karaoke station, eat delectable food or get their pictures taken. There were even quiet rooms, full of coloring books, stress balls, and quiet music, for any overwhelmed or over stimulated guests.
My favorite moment of the entire night was toward the end of the evening when a man came up to my date as we were waiting in line for the limo. Without wasting a moment, he smiled and asked my date for his autograph. I’m still not sure if the man was a volunteer with the one role of asking for guests’ autographs, or if he had the idea toward the end of the evening and just started asking for their autographs – but regardless, he had a paper full of autographs on his clipboard, reminding each guest how special and loved they are.
Over 200 honored guests and 400 hard-working volunteers attended the Night to Shine event in the upstate of South Carolina. The facility, food, amenities and activities were all provided by donations to ensure that each guest would receive royal treatment. Although the purpose of this event is to give the honored guests an unforgettable night centered on celebrating them and God’s love, it is certainly a night I will also never forget!
Kiara Yeatman, Clemson University
