LIHUE — For Julia Peck, volunteering to help people with special needs comes naturally. “My older sister has autism, so I’ve always been involved in volunteering,” she said. “It’s a big part of my life.” Peck was one of the
LIHUE — For Julia Peck, volunteering to help people with special needs comes naturally.
“My older sister has autism, so I’ve always been involved in volunteering,” she said. “It’s a big part of my life.”
Peck was one of the “sidekicks” paired with a person with special needs for the Night to Shine Special Needs Prom at the Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club Friday night.
About 75 guests were given the Very Important Person treatment for the night, and were treated with a walk down the red carpet, greeted by paparazzi.
Alyssa Medeiros was one of those VIPs.
“This is my first time here,” the 18-year-old said. “It’s been pretty good so far.”
Medeiros, decked out in a navy blue, floor-length dress, spent about an hour getting ready for the prom.
“I’ve had my dress for almost a year,” she said.
Medeiros and Peck, who have known each other for three years, were paired together.
“I’ve been volunteering at the prom since it began, so for about five years,” Peck said.
She comes back every year to see the smiles on everyone’s faces.
“It brings people together, and I like seeing the kids act like typical teenagers by letting go and having fun,” she said.
It’s a sentiment Owl Owen, another “sidekick,” echoed.
“It’s a great time to interact with the kids. They’re so happy, and it affects everyone,” he said.
Lihue Missionary Church and Kauai Able Ministries host Night to Shine. Amanda and Matt Phillips of Lihue Missionary Church have been helping organize the event for the past five years.
This year was the biggest event yet. Amanda Phillips credits that to extra funding from the Tim Tebow Foundation.
About 200 people, including guests, their sidekicks and other volunteers, attended the event.
“It’s a blessing to have that many people here,” she said.
Throughout the night, guests were reminded of God’s love for them and their own light that needs to shine for the world to see.
A choreographed dance kicked off the festivities, which was followed by dinner and the announcement of the prom king and queen. And the guests were surprised when it was announced that everyone was king and queen.
A video message from Tim Tebow had guests gasping in their seats.
“Tim Tebow brought everyone, it broadened the spectrum,” Owen said.
While this was the first time Medeiros attended the prom, others, like Ronnalynn Perono, were no strangers to the festivities.
“I come every year,” the 17-year-old said.
But that didn’t stop her from being nervous.
“I was nervous someone would laugh at me,” she said. “But if that would happen, I would just walk away — it’s easy for me to walk.”
Perono chose her red dress because of the color.
“I like blue and red,” she said. “When we went shopping and saw it, and my family said, ‘Pick that dress, Ronnalynn.’”
Perono’s sidekick, Olivia Vutrin, said this was the first time she’s been involved with the prom.
“I heard about it through Kauai Christian Fellowship, and I wanted to do something to give back,” she said. “I wanted to do something for someone to make them feel special.”
