Social activism/advocacy comes in many forms. Sometimes through large groups united in common cause. Sometimes originating through the power of one.
On Friday, February 12, 2016, I attended a prom. I watched as stretch limos brought attendees to the prom entrance; limo after limo arriving for a couple of hours. An escort appeared as each individual disembarked from the limo; handsome young men and gorgeous young ladies escorted each prom guest down a red carpet to the sustained cheers and clapping of young men and women lining the red carpet. Paparrazi everywhere snapping or recording all night long.
Through the doors multiple options awaited from makeup stations to shoe shines to formal portraits. Tiaras and hats, boas and corsages for those who wanted them. The banquet room with table after table of food from Chick Fil A, Zaxbys, Penn Station, Waffle House, Ippolito's, Hammerheads, Honey Baked Ham and more. Another room with Candy Stations, Chocolate Fountains, Smores Station, and lots of homemade Desserts. A Karaoke Room. A quiet room. A respite room for Prom chaperones.
A ginormous theater transformed into a magical wonderland with DJ, cloth covered candlelit tables, bubble machines and balloon drops.
I watched as what seemed to be a sea of tuxedoed & gowned people dance the night away. Sometimes it seemed akin to a rave arms waving or pumping in the air & bodies jumping up & down in unison.
I watched as hundreds of teen volunteers escorted, celebrated, chatted with, hugged, danced with and never left the side of people with special needs
I watched as stunned parents with tears in their eyes watched their child shine in ways never imagined.
And I wept while my heart smiled.
This night would be a first for hundreds who had never had a prom, never been to a dance, never dressed in a tux or a fairytale gown. Never been really included.
All because of one teenage girl, a hand written sign held by a non verbal intellectually disabled teen a couple of years ago. The sign asking if she would go to homecoming with him.
Although she already had a date, she said yes.
The following year, this young women enlisted the aid of classmates, a church and various vendors to help sponsor the first ever dance specifically for kiddos with disabilities in her high school.
The next dance included every high schooler with special needs in the county (population 877,922 with 175,800 students enrolled in public schools)
After graduating from high school & going out of state to college, she has continued this tradition and more. Aside from some food & venue sponsors, this young woman, friends & classmates pay for all expenses, provide décor, the sweat equity & needed manpower.
Intersectionality enabled this year’s first ever prom for all those over age 16 living with disabilities.
The Tim Tebow Foundation sponsors a Night to Shine Prom on the same date in 48 states and 8 countries for those age 16 & older living with disabilities. 200 host churches, more than 70,000 volunteers and 30,000 honored guests and magic.
And the teen girl now young woman connected with the Tebow Foundation to bring this magic to even more lives on February 12, 2016.
The power of one.