David Jenkins: ‘Night to Shine’ event makes Sikeston proud

Most of us remember our high school proms. We remember the spectacle of formal dresses, the uncomfortable tuxedos (whose idea was the cummerbund, anyway?), the dancing and the overall fun of the night.

However, some with special needs never got to experience prom. Now there is an event so they can have that experience called “Night to Shine,” and Sikeston has been fortunate enough to be a part of this for the last three years.

Sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, the event is for people with special needs, ages 14 and older and is hosted by local churches all across the globe in one night. Night to Shine launched in 2015 with 44 host churches and 15,000 volunteers working to honor more than 7,000 kings and queens of the prom. This past February, 537 host churches and 175,000 volunteers came together to celebrate 90,000 honored guests with special needs. This year, Night to Shine is expected to take place in over 700 locations on Feb. 7 and Sikeston will host one of the events from 6-9 p.m. at the Miner Convention Center.

Every guest of Night to Shine receives a walk on the red carpet complete with a warm welcome from the friendly crowd and paparazzi. Once inside, guests received the royal treatment, including hair and makeup stations, shoe shining areas, limousine rides, corsages and boutonnieres, a variety of foods and desserts, prom favors, a dance floor — all leading up to the moment when each guest is crowned king or queen of the prom.

This is a fantastic event that our community is a part of and every person who I have ever spoke to that is part of Night to Shine goes on and on about the smiles and joy on the faces of those who attend.

John McHaffie, lead pastor at Sikeston First Assembly of God and Night to Shine event coordinator, said he loves “the unity the event brings to our region.” Community members from all different walks of life, such as churches, DPS, South Scott Ambulance, vendors, banks and different groups all come out and help as volunteers to make this a great night for all of the kings and queens.

And McHaffie said there are still volunteers needed to be a “buddy,” a person who will go one-on-one with each of the honored guests for the entire evening.

I encourage anyone who is able to volunteer and take part in this event and help make this a wonderful night for all of the kings and queens. This is truly something our community should be proud of as everyone deserves a night to shine.

For more information or to volunteer, visit www.semoshine.com or visit their Facebook page at Night to Shine – Southeast Missouri.

David Jenkins is co-editor of the Standard Democrat.