Night to Shine: Special-needs promgoers get VIP treatment
Shelby McAllister of Washington gets out of the limo Friday during Night to Shine, a prom for special-needs teens and young adults. It was sponsored by Tim Tebow Foundation at The Bible Chapel in McMurray.
Dana Belasco, right, of South Fayette gets her hair styled before Friday’s prom by Briana Bedillion at Geno Levi Salon of McMurray.
Megan Glasser of Peters Township looks in the mirror Friday after getting her makeup done at Geno Levi Salon of McMurray before the prom.
Promgoers Paul and Jessica make their way down the red carpet Friday during Night to Shine.
Rebecca Zabo of Charleroi gets fitted with a tiara Friday before she hits the dance floor during Night to Shine.
Promgoers Cameron, left, and Katy on the dance floor during Friday’s Night to Shine
There were gowns and tuxedoes. There were limousines and a red carpet. And there was plenty of dancing.
More than 160 teens and adults with special needs attended the Night to Shine prom Feb. 12 at The Bible Chapel in McMurray, courtesy of the Tim Tebow Foundation.
The Bible Chapel is one of more than 220 churches in 48 states and seven countries that held the prom simultaneously.
Every guest at Night to Shine got the full VIP treatment.
Throughout the day, stylists at Geno Levi Salon in Peters Township created glamorous hairdos and did makeup for promgoers.
Participants arrived at the prom in a limousine and entered on a red carpet, where photographers (Tebow called them “friendly paparazzi”) took their pictures.
Inside, promgoers, dressed in gowns and tuxedoes, were given corsages and tiaras or boutonnieres and a crown, and ladies had an opportunity to drop by hair and make-up stations for a touch-up, while the men stopped at the shoe shine station for a quick polish.
During the night, Tebow, a former NFL quarterback, coronated all of the participants as king or queen of the prom, via a videotaped message.
Each of the partygoers was paired with a volunteer buddy, who spent the night making sure they participated in all the activities available, including karaoke and a photo booth.
The Tim Tebow Foundation provided each prom with financial support, decorations and gifts for each participant, and a step-by-step guide to make the prom a success.
Deana Wheeler, media services specialist for The Bible Chapel, said about 200 volunteers donated their time to make the night a success for the young men and women.
“I think it went as well or better than we could have anticipated, hoped for or expected,” Wheeler said. “It was enjoyable for everyone participating at any level. It was wonderful for the kings and queens, and it was wonderful for the volunteers.”
Nelia Cook of Washington said planning for the prom – from picking out a gown to choosing a hairstyle – and participating in the event was special for her daughter, Courtney, 23, who attended a prom for the first time.
“Courtney just beamed after we tried on gown after gown. It meant so much to her to have that gown. She just twirled and twirled, and she was showing everyone her gown for her prom,” Cook said. “Taking her to get her hair done and her makeup done, she just gleamed and beamed and thanked me. It brought tears to my eyes to realize that she absolutely was a typical child for the day. She was a princess, and a princess she was, along with all of the other girls who attended. I thank Tim Tebow for his generosity, I thank the Bible Chapel for hosting this, and I certainly thank all of the volunteers for the time and effort they put into it. It has been such a blessing to us as a family and certainly to my little princess who is enjoying the night thoroughly.”
K-Love radio provided free prom gowns, and several local companies provided free services, including Geno Levi, Linda James Photography, DJ Jason Rullo and Pittsburgh All-Stars Event Services, Mary Kay, John Wallace’s Bethel Park Flowers and videographer Andy King.
It is the second year Tebow’s foundation hosted the prom, and the first time it was held at The Bible Chapel, which recently opened an education wing for children with special needs.
Said Erik Dellenback, executive director of Tim Tebow Foundation, “After such an amazing response to the inaugural event held in 44 locations, our prayer is that this event will one day change the face of Valentine’s Day weekend from simply a celebration of love, to a celebration of God’s love for people with special needs.”
Terry Glasser of Peters Township watched as her daughter, Megan, danced, took photos at the photo booth, and enjoyed herself.
“We’re so excited. It’s something special for all of us to look forward to, not just the kids,” Glasser said. “I think the parents might be more excited, just watching them all have a good time.”