LEAP students serving during the “Night to Shine” event
Two “Night to Shine” guests are shown dancing after being crowned king and queen
A group of Lee students are shown setting up for “Night to Shine,” a prom night experience for people with special needs
Students and staff from Lee University’s LEAP (Learning Engage Achieve Program) partnered with Broad Street United Methodist Church and the Tim Tebow Foundation to host “Night to Shine,” a special prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs, ages 14 and older.
LEAP has faithfully served the Tim Tebow Night to Shine foundation since 2018. The organizers plan for the event all year and provide training for Lee LEAP students. Students arrive before the event to decorate, hang signs, and make swag bags for the guests. On the night of the event, the students dress in their best clothes to serve as paparazzi, buddies who are escorts for the disabled guests, serve food, paint faces, lead karaoke, and dance with buddies.
“Volunteering at the Tim Tebow Night to Shine prom was an incredible experience that I’ll never forget,” said Sarah Smith, a freshman at Lee. “Seeing how much this event meant to the guests and being part of such a positive and uplifting atmosphere was truly inspiring. It reminded me how powerful kindness and inclusion can be, and I’m so grateful I got to be a part of it.”
There were 38 attendees who were all crowned queen and king at the event, which took place at Broad Street United Methodist Church. Broad Street church members Jami and Jennifer Standridge served as the event coordinators, working alongside LEAP staff Dr. Angela Waltrip, director; Jocelyn VanSandt, coach and program assistant; and Essence Whisel, peer mentor.
“This is our seventh year serving with Night to Shine,” said Dr. Waltrip. “I am very proud and honored to work alongside the LEAP students each year. LEAP students are truly compassionate and understand the importance of serving not only the honored guests but also helping the Cleveland community celebrate and support individuals with disabilities. This is our favorite night of the year!”
LEAP started in 2015 and is a federally funded TRIO Student Support Services Program. Ideal candidates for the program are first generation, income-qualifying, and disability students. As part of this federal grant, students are encouraged to engage with the community to learn about career readiness.
The program currently provides individual success coaching, peer mentors, direct student aid, financial aid counseling, financial literacy education, cultural and academic enrichment opportunities, and other personalized services according to individual students’ needs.
For more information about LEAP, visit leeuniversity.edu/leap/.
For more information about Night to Shine, visit timtebowfoundation.org/host-night-to-shine/