Centenary University partnered with St. Luke Special Needs Ministry to host its second annual Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, on Friday, Feb. 7. Held in the David and Carol Lackland Center, the free event offered an unforgettable prom experience for teens and adults with special needs, ages 14 and up.

At Night to Shine, held on Centenary’s campus, every guest received a red-carpet welcome, complete with a friendly crowd and paparazzi. Once inside, the royal treatment for guests included stations for hair, makeup, and shoe shining, limousine rides, corsages and boutonnieres, a catered dinner, dancing, professional photos, and a respite room for parents and caretakers. Staffing the event were Centenary University students and representatives from St. Luke Special Needs Ministry. Based at St. Luke Parish in nearby Long Valley, the ministry provides an inclusive spiritual, social, and educational environment for children and adults with special needs and their families.

Hackettstown police officers served as special guests, recreating last year’s big Night to Shine moment with their performance of The Village People’s “YMCA” at the request of attendees.

Rachel Danitz, community engagement coordinator at Centenary University, noted that the event promotes inclusion and fosters community pride.

Now in its sixth year, Night to Shine is a worldwide movement that changes the narrative on how people with special needs are viewed. Events are held simultaneously on one night each February. This year, 721 host organizations and 215,000 volunteers—including Centenary University students—in 50 states and 24 countries celebrated 115,000 honored guests with special needs.