Night to Shine was special for guests and volunteers

College of the Ozarks was the site of a special event on Friday night. For the ninth year, the College hosted Night to Shine, a prom-type event for those in our community with special abilities.

Held in the Silver Dollar City Parlor of The Keeter Center, Night to Shine welcomed more than 100 guests from Taney and Stone counties.   

Brothers Andrew Majors and Tim Majors, pictured with their parents, Tom and Rachel, enjoyed Night to Shine.

Created by the Tim Tebow Foundation, Night to Shine is a nationwide movement, where churches or other organizations around the country host a special event for anyone with special needs. Night to Shine is traditionally open to persons age 14 and over, and each location's activities are unique. The College of the Ozarks' Night to Shine featured a red carpet entrance, hair and makeup stations, music and dancing, and a crowning ceremony where each guest was honored as a king or queen.

More than 200 College of the Ozarks students, staff and faculty members volunteered for the event. Volunteers helped students with hair and makeup, shined shoes, cheered the special guests walking the red carpet and served as "buddies" or chaperones for the evening event.

Dr. Justin Carswell, the College's Vice President for Christian Ministries and Student Development explained that hosting the event, and having students and employees volunteer, fits well into the College's desire to demonstrate the character of Christ by serving and loving others.

Said Dr. Carswell, "Night to Shine is an event that enables our students to embody the hands and feet of Christ to our honored guests."

The evening was memorable, not only for the special guests, but also for the volunteers.  

"There are so many sweet things that happen and amazing stories to tell throughout the course of the evening," explained Valorie Coleman, Director of Communications and Public Relations for College of the Ozarks. "Four of the students from my work station worked as volunteers. I could see it in their eyes, as we talked, that they were thrilled to be a part."

For Will, a C of O sophomore, volunteering for Night to Shine was an unforgettable experience.

"I never thought I would get the opportunity to do something as big as I did tonight—which is making someone else's night," said Will. "There is nothing else that I could have been doing that would have been better than being here."

Lori Simmons, C of O's Community Service Coordinator shared, "For many of our guests, this night was a first - a moment where they felt seen, cherished and celebrated as the unique and beautiful individuals God created them to be. As we poured into their lives, we were also profoundly impacted. This event transformed the hearts of our students at College of the Ozarks and gave them the privilege of serving others and experiencing the deep joy of putting love into action."