All Are Crowned

Night to Shine is a prom for people with special needs sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation held worldwide on the same date. This year, there were more than 650 events in 24 countries around the world on Feb. 10.

The Wilmington event was hosted at Port City Community Church, and was memorable in many ways for those who attended. 

As the nearly 400 guests arrived, each was crowned queen or king, received a corsage or boutonniere, and was paired with a buddy for the evening. They walked down a red carpet, flanked on both sides by a cheering crowd, cheerleaders and paparazzi. The energy was palpable, and the expression of joy was felt throughout the building.

A king stated it was “amazing, fun and fantastic.”

After the red carpet, the options for fun seemed endless. Kings could have their shoes shined to prepare for the dance floor, and queens could enjoy getting their hair and makeup done. A large room was set up with karaoke and plenty of chairs for spectators to cheer on their friends.

Guests could play cornhole, take a limousine ride, enjoy a large selection of snacks, and have their photos taken in a photo booth or with Elsa, from the movie Frozen. The highlight of the evening may have been a live band with hundreds of guests dancing the night away. There were options for everyone, including a sensory room and a respite room for parents and caregivers. 

This was the first in-person Night to Shine since the pandemic. 

“It was the best night I’ve had in a while,” a queen said. “When Covid happened, we couldn’t do anything much.”

Many volunteers helped make the prom a success.

“This is something I’ve never experienced before and it was fantastic,” one of the volunteers said. “It’s definitely an experience everyone should try — even if they’re not comfortable, they should try it!”