by Hailey Barrus– On February 8, Sunnybrook Community Church hosted its annual Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine, giving Morningside students the opportunity to volunteer as ‘buddies’ for the special needs prom.
There were dozens of Morningside students that had the opportunity to be part of this special night, including the men’s and women’s basketball teams. They volunteered their time dressing in prom attire and taking their buddies out for a night to remember.
Morningside junior, Kenny Osten, had the opportunity to be a dancing buddy during the event and said the night changed his life.
“This is such a special night, to be able to shed light on the fact that we are all wonderfully made, and give these individuals the spotlight they deserve is something bigger than me, and bigger than Morningside. I felt so lucky to be a part of it,” Osten said.
The night included a dance party, hair and make-up stations, limo rides, photographers, dinner, and karaoke. This is the third year Sunnybrook has been able to host this event, and every year the turnout is bigger than the year prior.
Trey Brown, junior basketball player, said “This is my second year being able to be a buddy at night to shine, and it has always been so fun. My night was beautiful, and we danced the night away. For me it was more than going with my friends as a team building experience, this was more than basketball, more than just going to church.”
“To be able to make these people feel normal in a world where they are constantly looked down on, is nothing less than amazing,” Brown continued.
Night to Shine hosted nearly 300 prom dates, and had over 400 volunteers that brought the night together. Sunnybrook was one of only 300 other churches throughout the country to participate in this event.
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