Adults and teens with special needs attended a beloved annual prom on Friday evening, Feb. 9, at Evans’ Journey Community Church.
Sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation and an international tradition, a “Night to Shine” offers those 16 years and older a chance to enjoy an unforgettable prom experience amongst others who also live with special needs.
With each guest honored as prom kings and queens, attendees enjoyed the CSRA’s “Night to Shine” dressed in corsages, crowns and tiaras, after getting their hair and makeup done.
To enter the prom, attendees were treated like celebrities as they walked the red carpet in sparkling gowns and sharp suits, while locals cheered with festive pompoms and signs.
For guests and their attending “buddies,” the night offered all limo rides, various photo opportunities, karaoke, dancing and food.
Hosted by the Journey Community Church for six years, Rev. Bobby Smith said the event was always made possible thanks to hundreds of volunteers, who help ensure the safety and happiness of guests.
For Smith, the event provides an exciting local event for those who get to miss out on many important experiences that other teens take for granted.
“Special needs runs in my family, and there were so many years ago that never got a chance to go to a prom or a dance,” he said. “When we moved onto this property here, nobody was really doing anything for the special needs community, so we decided to be that lighthouse.”
As each guest danced alongside peers and sang the night away, Smith said he hoped each walked away feeling loved.
“I want them to know that they are loved and cared for by God, and that we see them for the Kings and Queens that they really are,” he said.
A dedicated volunteer with Journey Community Church, Leigh Harper, said Smith is a driving force into making the event possible, as it is his mission to make the church a welcoming environment for those with special needs.
“This year registration for honored guests sold out within a weekend, because there’s just not many events that are specific for this community,” Harper said. “They always look forward to it and our pastor just has a heart to serve the special needs community.”
Harper said her favorite part was witnessing the joy attendees experience when walking the red carpet.
“Some of them will even walk it more than once throughout the night because they love it so much,” she said.
Additionally, Harper said she also loved how the event invited parents and caregivers to also attend and enjoy a “respite room” together while their royalty had fun.
Attending mother Gloria Dickson said her son loves the event, and they always make sure he is “dressed to impress.”
“Every year he gets excited to know he is going to a prom, and he always tries to look his best,” she said. “He loves walking that red carpet. He loves seeing friends, and he loves telling everybody about it, too. It makes him very happy to be here with his peers.”
Dickson said she was also grateful for the event inviting family members, because it allowed parents to connect with others in the community who can help each other.
“You never know what we can learn from each other,” she said. “It was through meeting someone else here that [my son] is able to be in some of the organizations he’s in right now.”
With several school and community cohorts in attendance, 15 students from University of South Carolina Aiken’s Pacer LIFE program enjoyed their first year attending “Night to Shine.”
“Prom is a big deal for young people and adults, and this is a way to provide access to our students. We’re really grateful for Journey Community Church to allow our students to come tonight,” said Melissa Martin, director of USC Aiken’s Pacer LIFE program. “We can teach them the academics, but they need friends and that social piece. This provides them that opportunity.”
Enthusiastic King Jalen Owens said he has been coming for three years to the prom and his favorite part was “everything.”
Liz Wright is a staff writer covering education, lifestyle and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
