Tim Tebow Foundation hosts prom night for people with special needs

Her escort was Placer High School Junior Nathan Watkins. Kiger, a special needs educator, jumped at the opportunity.

“Last year was wonderful, because they were so organized and everything was so well put together”, Gill said.

There were “paparazzi” along the red carpet to give the prom-goers the VIP feeling, said Golden. In addition to the prom, Happy Feat also stages a live nativity at Christmas and a party at Halloween.

“We have been looking forward to this for a while now”, Abdin said. “I think all of us want to continue to be a part of this”.

Kiger, choking up, said Friday’s event was “everything I thought it would be and more”. “He’s having a ball”, she said. “The more involved they become, the more accepted they feel”.

Sarah Grillo was getting ready before the prom. The numbers are expected to rise to more than 20,000 people with special needs attending the proms all at one time around the world.

And with a quick look at the flooded dance floor, the prom party was a night they’ll never forget. The guys could get their shoes shined by volunteers.

Organizers said they pulled out all the stops for “A Night to Shine” at Parkside Church in Auburn.

“It’s always been a fight for me to move ahead”, said Bettenhausen, of Valparaiso.

There were a few differences, though. “All of them got a crown or a tiara to wear at the end of the night”.

The Tebow Foundation chose Valentine’s Day weekend to celebrate people with special needs.

Tebow CURE Hospital, Team Tebow and Night to Shine. “I’m glad I did”, said Watkins.

Each guest received the royal treatment from a red carpet arrival, food, karaoke, limo rides to being crowned queen or king and lots of dancing. That’s how special you are. “That’s how important you are, that’s how special you are, and that’s how much you are loved”.