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Special guests get own night to shine
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Guests danced with each other to the music during the Night to Shine Prom at Highway Tabernacle on Feb. 10.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Guests at the Night to Shine Prom at Highway Tabernacle on Feb. 10 got their hair and make up done before the dance started.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Guests walked down a red carpet as they entered the Night to Shine Prom on Feb. 10 at Highway Tabernacle.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Guests danced at the Night to Shine Prom on Feb. 10 at Highway Tabernacle.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.One of the guests got a boutonniere at the Night to Shine Prom at Highway Tabernacle on Feb. 10 to prepare for the dance.
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Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.One of the guests at the Night to Shine Prom at Highway Tabernacle on Feb. 10 got his shoes shined before the dance started.
By ALEXIS BARTOLOMUCCI
Highway Tabernacle served as one of 380 churches who were selected to host Night to Shine sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation on Feb. 10.
Guests with special needs ages 14 and up were invited to dress up and have a special night of their own to celebrate. People showed up in dresses, tuxedos, suits and several other outfits that made them feel nice and ready for the night.
Night to Shine is a worldwide event that provides an unforgettable prom night experience. Those who attended could get their hair done, make up done, nails done and their shoes shined to get them prepared for the dance. After getting pampered, guests enjoyed a dinner and got their picture taken.
“We are so thrilled that we got to do this,” said Pastor Gary Gray.
Before the dance started, the guests got to ride in a limo around the building. Once they were dropped off at the door of the gymnasium, the guests walked on a red carpet as they entered the dance and got there picture taken as they were on the red carpet.
“It’s a night where we can honor special needs guests and let them have a night where they can shine,” said Duane Corll.
There were 112 special needs guests who attended the event and close to 100 volunteers who came to help out with whatever was needed. There were volunteers who came from other churches to help out and support the good cause.
Businesses from around the community donated their time, money or any other goods that would benefit the Night to Shine.
“We’re speechless at this moment. It’s just an incredible moment to watch all these faces walk in with the smiles and the excitement,” said Tracie Corll.
Once a church is chosen to host the Night to Shine, they are eligible to continue to host the event in the future. Highway Tabernacle hopes to continue the event and bring people from the community together to host a special moment.