First United Methodist Church of Union County was transformed into a ballroom of laughter, music and bright smiles on Friday, Feb. 13, as the community hosted its Ninth Annual Night to Shine prom for individuals with special needs.
Night to Shine is part of a worldwide initiative sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation and coordinated locally in Blairsville. The event offers a prom-night experience for people of all ages with special needs, complete with red carpet arrivals, dancing, music, and the crowning of every guest as king or queen.
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This year’s event welcomed 94 honored guests and 98 parents and caregivers, supported by more than 300 volunteers from across the region. Attendees came from Union, Towns, and Fannin counties in Georgia, along with Clay and Cherokee counties in North Carolina.
Scott and Elizabeth Terry, who have served as event coordinators for the past four years, emphasized that the evening’s success reflected the heart of the broader community.
“We’re blessed because this is the ninth year that we’ve hosted the event here,” Scott Terry said. “We have a wonderful special needs community, not just in Blairsville, but really in the five-county area. It’s not just a blessing for the guests – it’s a blessing for us to be able to host this event as well.”
Volunteers included local residents and businesses as well as students from Young Harris College, with members of the women’s soccer, golf and volleyball teams and the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity helping prepare the venue and serve as buddies to guests throughout the night.
Each guest received the royal treatment, beginning with a red-carpet entrance and paparazzi-style welcome. A variety of stations offered hair and makeup services, shoe shining, and professional photos. Guests were also treated to limousine-style rides around the Blairsville Square aboard the GoGo Party Bus, where locals lined the streets to cheer them on.
The main ballroom hosted a Royal Dinner from 6-7 p.m., with guests seated at decorated tables and served by volunteers. Special dietary needs were carefully prepared in advance. Meanwhile, caregivers enjoyed their own dinner and dance experience from 6-8 p.m., complete with music, Valentine-themed photo stations, and gift bags. The meal was prepared by Janice Walters, who spent more than 10 hours cooking and baking individual pies for the evening.
For guests needing a quieter space, a sensory room provided calming lights, music, and visits from Miss Snuggles, a therapy dog. Karaoke, led by Lory Pluger and Jillian Helton, gave every participant a microphone and a mini-Grammy award for taking the stage.
Union County Sheriff Shawn Dyer and his staff ensured safety throughout the event, while the Boy Scouts of America Blairsville Troop, led by Tom Lawrence, provided shoeshines, first aid support, and handed out gift bags as the night concluded.
The celebration ended with the crowning ceremony – where every guest was named king or queen – followed by a balloon drop and one final dance. From the balcony above, caregivers watched as the floor filled with energy, music and pure joy.
More than a prom, Night to Shine served as a powerful reminder of what happens when a community comes together with compassion, generosity, and love – creating a night where everyone truly shines.
