Mitchell residents put on their dancing shoes
On the evening before Valentine’s Day Mitchell Middle School became a gathering place for the community as it hosted the community’s inaugural “Night to Shine.”
“A Night to Shine” is a worldwide event sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, with a mission of sharing a gospel message while celebrating individuals with disabilities. Each event is organized through a host church, and for the Mitchell Middle School celebration, Snow Hill Baptist Church, led by Pastor Dean Honeycutt, served as the host.
This unique annual event is designed to give individuals with special needs a prom night experience of their own; this first local “Night to Shine” brought together nearly 60 guests and around 140 volunteers from Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties.
Each guest walked the red carpet after receiving a boutonniere or corsage, where they were greeted by cheering volunteers and “paparazzi,” followed by a dinner prepared by volunteers at the event. Guests also had the opportunity to take prom-style photos during the evening, which they were able to take home as a keepsake after the event.
After dinner, guests took to the dance floor to dance the night away or enjoy karaoke. Makeup and shoeshine stations were also available for guests to enjoy throughout the evening. Toward the end of the night, a crowning ceremony was held, where each guest was honored as a king or queen and presented with a crown or tiara. Honeycutt preached a gospel message, and gift bags were distributed to everyone as they headed home.
“Over a year ago, I started praying about it, and in late summer I saw a Night to Shine advertisement on Facebook, and it was like the Lord told me, ‘You need to do this,’” Honeycutt said about the event.
Honeycutt said interest in the event grew from that moment, with involvement from other local churches and organizations quickly spreading. He added that volunteers from churches and community organizations across the area were excited about “A Night to Shine” and worked diligently in preparation for the event.
“It makes you realize that the body of Christ is alive and well,” he said. “You have so many people coming together, and those people have so many talents.”
Beverly Williams, a member of the planning committee for “Night to Shine,” said the event marked a significant step for the community and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work together to create something that had never been done before. She added that she looks forward to seeing the event grow in the years to come, noting that it “opens the door for many in the community” to discover ways they can help others while giving individuals a night of their own.
“This makes it so special for our guests who are coming,” said Williams, “They more than likely have never attended a prom, or a prom geared just for them.”
Cindy McKinney, a parent of one of the attendees of “Night to Shine,” mentioned that her son Cody had a wonderful time and wanted to thank all of the caregivers for making the night so special for her son. “The entire event was beautiful! Thanks again to everyone who spent long hours to make this happen,” she said in a text message.
Participating churches and sponsors included Snow Hill Baptist, Little Rock Creek Baptist, Berry Chapel Baptist, Altapass Baptist, Freedom Baptist, Mt. Carmel Baptist and Faith Baptist Church, along with many other congregations throughout the region.
Community partners for the event included New Beginnings, Alliance, Camp Funshine and Mitchell Special Olympics.
Additional sponsors included the Josh Newton Family, MD; Western Sizzlin Steakhouse of Spruce Pine; the Odd Ball Jeep Club; Fortner’s Insurance; and the Mitchell Baptist Association.
For more information on “A Night to Shine,” visit MCNightToShine.org or timtebowfoundation.org/night-to-shine