SPRINGDALE (KFSM) -- Every human deserves to experience prom night at least once in their life.
Friday (Feb. 12) night, hundreds of individuals with special needs filled Cross Church Springdale for their first prom.
The “Night to Shine” event, put on by The Tim Tebow Foundation, welcomed anyone with special needs to experience a prom night.
“This is my first night to shine,” said Kelly Nichols, a prom goer.
Some, like Valeria Garcia, traveled from out of state to attend the prom with her brother, Abdin.
“We are really excited. We have been looking forward to this for a while now,” Abdin said.
For most, it was their first time every going to a prom.
“I have never been to one before,” said Walker Broden, a prom goer.
Those with special needs were pampered fully throughout the night.
Women were given custom-fitted dresses to wear. They had their hair and makeup done by volunteers, and were given flowers.
“I feel, like, so beautiful,” Nichols said.
Men were given suits to wear. Each man at the prom was also treated to shoe shining, and a corsage.
“I just like to look nice,” said Walker Broden, a prom goer.
“It is awesome. Everybody needs one time in their life to get dressed up,” said Jason Hanson, a volunteer at the event.
After pictures were taken, all those in attendance packed into limos, and were taken to their prom night.
At the front door, they were greeted with “paparazzi” and cheers.
After that, prom was just like any other.
“So many times we focus on people’s disabilities, and not their abilities,” said Heath Bryant, Children and Family Pastor at Cross Church Springdale. “It is just an opportunity to celebrate, and cheer, and to make them feel beautiful and special for the night.”
Those who attended the event said, they hoped the event would stick with them for years to come.
“We will remember this forever,” Abdin Garcia said.