For the first time in Jackson, The Union EDGE Program partnered with Fellowship Bible Church in rebranding what was formally known as the Royal Ball to the Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night to Shine, a prom night experience for disabled individuals ages 14 and up.
Rebecca Holloway, who is the director of the EDGE program and College of Education, played an integral role in the organization of Jackson’s premiere of Night to Shine. I could hear the passion in her voice as she reflected on what took place Feb. 9.
“I was just speechless,” Holloway said. “Seeing all those people cheering them on, having all the eyes on them and being celebrated for exactly who God created them to be, that is everything I could ever want for any person with a disability in our community.”
With more than 300 volunteers in attendance, members of the Jackson and Union community poured out their hearts in overwhelming support and ultimately helped Night to Shine become an unforgettable evening.
I personally had the honor of attending as a volunteer myself, where I and many others were placed on different volunteer committees. From floral arrangements, to hair and makeup, to being a buddy, volunteers lined up one by one to receive their assignments.
As I arrived with Lauren Burrell, a senior accounting major and current EDGE mentor, we made our way to the volunteer check-in table featuring our name tags attached to sparkly lanyards (which we were probably way too excited about).
The name tags also included an itinerary of the night, as well as our honored guest’s name listed on the back. As a buddy, I was given the role of accompanying an honored guest and walking them down the red carpet. Large numbers of volunteers, family members, teachers, and mentors lined the runway, trailing into a grand ballroom that included a DJ, flashing lights and, of course, a sparkling disco ball.
With more than 120 honored guests at Night to Shine, it was special to witness each person proudly make their way through the crowds, but it was especially warming to know they were unapologetically themselves.
This event was a reflection of the Union community’s support of the beloved EDGE program, as a tremendous presence of Union students, from student-athletes to Greek Life affiliates to everyone in between, came to help.
“The Union community was surrounding this event,” Holloway said. “So many people came alongside us and were volunteers for the event, encouraged us along the way, asked us if there were things that we needed, or helped us make connections in the communities through sponsors and for donations. There was no question the Union community played an integral part in this.”
I was in awe of all the hard work put into this special night. The decorating committee clearly spared no expense in making this night as magical as possible, with the entire building coated in extravagant balloon arches, streamers and sparkling confetti as far as the eye could see.
Some activities the honored guests could experience included a photo booth, limo rides, balloon animal creations, karaoke and even an accommodating sensory room for those who felt overwhelmed.
Everyone was able to enjoy Chick-fil-A for dinner and Seb’s Snow Cones for dessert.
“We just kind of let them lead the way and we just went along with whatever they wanted to do because it was their night,” Burrell said. “They got to make all the decisions of everything that they wanted to do, which was really cool.”
Prior to the event, many volunteers worked as part of the glam committee, which took place in the Fellowship Barn. These volunteers were responsible for doing hair and makeup and overall trying to make each girl’s dream prom-look come to life. Reese Owens, a junior digital media communications major, volunteered with this committee and spoke with me about her experiences helping prep the girls for their special night.
“It was really fun to see everyone all excited and happy that they were getting to dress up,” said Owens. “It just filled my heart because I was just thinking the whole time that this will be a night that they will remember forever.”
There were old and new faces present at Night to Shine, as many alumni were present at the event. Some were there as event vendors, while others were there purely out of support for the beloved special needs community.
I asked Holloway about her favorite moment at Night to Shine, and she grinned.
“The gospel presentation that led into the crowning ceremony.”
Near the close of the event, everyone was told to pile into the ballroom for a short biblical message from Fellowship Bible Church’s lead pastor, Eugene Brandt. He spoke on the gospel truth, which was a unique feature of Night to Shine, being that a gospel message was intended as part of the program.
Brandt spoke about how each honored guest, disabled or not, was adopted into the family of God.
“We are kings and queens in God’s eyes,” Brandt said.
Following, I and many other volunteers passed out 120 crowns and tiaras to all the honored guests in the room, as they were named “king” and “queen” of the prom.
The next day, Burrell and I went on a Sonic run, where we debriefed about Night to Shine. She gave me her perspective on the event and the impact it had on her being a volunteer buddy.
“I think in Jackson specifically, we have a lot of people that have these different disabilities, and it’s just a night where it doesn’t matter what your disability is, it doesn’t matter your age, your background or anything like that,” Burrell said. “It’s just really special to see the community all come together for these people that need a little extra love some days and special to be a part of at Union, too.”
Night to Shine was such a significant event for any person to be a part of because it allowed them to step into someone else’s reality and feel the exuberant joy these individuals feel about life, giving you an appreciation for how amazing this community is.
“So many times, this population can be overlooked and put to the back burner, so this was a night where they are here, and they are taking center stage,” Holloway said.
Night to Shine is an event dedicated to showing individuals that they matter, that they are loved and that they are valued. It is a night to express their worth, royalty and, through community efforts, love and support God’s kings and queens.
“At the end of the day, I want them to have acceptance and love and celebration just for who they are,” Holloway said. “And so that’s kind of why I do what I do boiled down into one moment.”