By Patricia Beech-
Church 180 in Seaman, on Friday, Feb. 8, gave guests with special needs their “night to shine” during a prom night experience sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation.
The private black-tie event raises money for the foundation’s “Night to Shine” which gives people with special needs an opportunity to have a prom night experience centered on God’s love.
Church 180 rolled out the red carpet for the evening’s honored guests and their escorts who entered the building beneath an archway formed by ladder trucks from the Fayetteville and Sardinia Fire Departments.
Volunteers cheered as the couples entered the building and walked the red carpet before posing for their prom night photographs.
According to Church 180 Pastor Michael Parks, the Tim Tebow Foundation requires that “Night to Shine” events be sponsored by a church.
Parks said to create the event, Church 180 teamed up with staff members from the Adams County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Venture Productions, as well as Ohio Valley and Manchester local school districts.
“These partnerships helped make ‘Night to Shine’ happen,” he said. “With Church 180 in the lead, the night is kept centered on God’s love for the people of Adams County with special needs.”
The successful collaboration helped create a night filled with laughter, fun, dancing, and dining in the church’s recreation hall which Peebles High School teacher Kristen Smalley transformed into an enchanting “Under the Sea” prom-night venue.
Lavonne McCoy, who attended the event with her adult son, Kacie, says she “Can’t wait for next year”.
“A ‘Night to Shine’ was probably one of the happiest nights my family has experienced,” McCoy said. “To have a child that has never experienced things like going to the prom, and then for them to be given that chance – it is very emotional.”
McCoy worried that her son might feel uncomfortable, but says her concerns were unfounded.
“He got off that bus and saw all the people, most of whom he recognized, and he had a smile that was indescribable,” she said. ““For the people of Adams County, especially the young people, to support our people with disabilities like this made my heart ache with happiness.”
Jordyn Kell, a graduate of North Adams High School, was an escort for the evening.
Currently a Senior at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Kell attended the event with her special needs friend, Hunter Rapp (who was also her high school Senior prom date).
She says she wouldn’t have dreamed of missing out on the event.
“I cried when he asked me,” Kell says. “ I knew what a special event this would be for him and the whole special needs community.”
More than 150 people attended the event, along with 40 local officials, and numerous volunteers.
