February 3, 2020

Prom experience for teens and adults with special needs will take place on Friday, Feb. 7.  

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., Feb. 3, 2020—Centenary University will partner with St. Luke Special Needs Ministry to host its second annual Night to Shine sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation on Friday, Feb. 7. The event, which will begin at 6 p.m. in the David and Carol Lackland Center, offers an unforgettable prom experience for young adults with special needs, ages 14 and up. The event is free for attendees.

At Night to Shine held on Centenary’s campus, every guest will receive a red carpet welcome, complete with a friendly crowd and paparazzi. Once inside, guests receive the royal treatment, including stations for hair, makeup, and shoe shining, limousine rides, corsages and boutonnieres, a catered dinner, dancing, professional photos, and a respite room for parents and caretakers. Staffing the event will be Centenary University students and representatives from St. Luke Special Needs Ministry. Based at St. Luke Parish in Long Valley, the ministry provides an inclusive spiritual, social, and educational environment for children and adults with special needs and their families.

Rachel Danitz, community engagement coordinator at Centenary University, noted that the event promotes inclusion and fosters community pride. “We’re so proud to again host this special night on our campus,” Danitz explained. “It’s a chance for our community to join together and create awareness for those with special needs, as well as making these remarkable members of our community feel special. I’m sure this will truly be a night to remember.”

Now in its sixth year, Night to Shine is a worldwide movement that changes the narrative on how people with special needs are viewed. Events are held simultaneously on one night each February. Last year, 655 host organizations and 200,000 volunteers—including Centenary University students—in 50 states and 24 countries celebrated 100,000 honored guests with special needs.

ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary University’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix provides an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world. The University’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township. The Centenary University School of Professional Studies offers degree programs at two locations, Parsippany and Edison, as well as online and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey.