Special needs, special prom night
HILARY MATHESON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 10 years, 1 month AGO
<p>Kristin Twet and others shopping for dresses to attend the Night to Shine event at Canvas Church. </p>
<p>Sara Maldonadon and others shop at Ross Dress for Less in Kalispell. Maldonadon and others from the Lighthouse Christian Home are excited to be attending Night to Shine at Canvas Church on Friday evening, Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. </p>
<p>From left, Michelle Hutton, Claire Feistner, Jamie Herron, April Ostergard and Leanne Shephard shop for dresses in advance of the Night to Shine on Friday, February 12, at 6 p.m. at Canvas Church. Feistner and Ostergard, who work at the Lighthouse Christian Home south of Kalispell, took group out for the shopping excursion to offer opinions and advice to the attendees. </p>
<p>Jamie Herron holds up a dress she is considering as she and others from the Lighthouse Christian Home shop for the Night to Shine event.</p>
EDUCATION REPORTER Hilary Matheson covers education for the Daily Inter Lake. Her reporting focuses on schools, students, and the policies that shape public education across Northwest Montana. Matheson regularly reports on school boards, district decisions and issues affecting teachers and families. Her work examines how funding, enrollment and state policy influence local school systems. She helps readers understand how education decisions affect students and communities throughout the region. IMPACT: Hilary’s work provides transparency and insight into the schools that serve thousands of local families. | February 9, 2016 5:00 AM
Prom is an unforgettable night for many young adults; Friday will be a “Night to Shine” for people with special needs.
Night to Shine is a free prom event sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation.
This is the first year it will be held in Kalispell, where Canvas Church will serve as the only location for Night to Shine in Montana. The Kalispell event is part of a party around the world — Night to Shine events will be held on the same night at than 200 locations in eight countries.
Every guest at Night to Shine will receive the royal treatment beginning with a red-carpet entrance. Once inside, guests may get their hair styled and shoes shined and will receive either corsages or boutonnières. And at a Night to Shine, everyone is crowned king or queen of the prom.
There will be a live DJ and karaoke.
“We are so excited to offer this event for our community,” said local organizer Mary Kay Wilson of Canvas Church, located at 255 Summit Ridge Drive.
Wilson said Lighthouse Christian Home Development Director Kathy Kingery initially reached out to the church as a partner in hosting the event. Lighthouse Christian Home currently serves 15 residents with intellectual disabilities.
“My goal is to bring awareness to the number of special needs people in this valley,” Kingery said. “The residents here at Lighthouse were thrilled” when the learned the event was coming to Kalispell.
Wilson said about 50 people have signed up to attend so far, but there is room for 200.
Night to Shine is open to people 16 and older with special needs and Wilson is putting out the call for more people from around Montana to attend. Pre-registration is requested so organizers can plan for accommodation requests and food.
“At this point we are set for volunteers. We need attendees to come,” Wilson said.
Prom-goers are encouraged to wear semi-formal to formal attire. Several Lighthouse residents already have their formal wear ready.
“A few of the girls were showing their dresses to me and they were so excited,” Kingery said.
Register to attend a Night to Shine at www.canvaschurch.com or call Canvas Church at 752-6426. For more information about the event, visit www.timtebowfoundation.org.
Reporter Hilary Matheson can be reached at 758-4431 or [email protected].
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