Pacer LIFE students at the University of South Carolina Aiken were all smiles on Feb. 9 while attending their first Night to Shine Prom sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation at Journey Community Church in Evans, Georgia.
Before the night began, the women had their hair styled and the men were helped into their tuxes by student workers in the Pacer Commons residence hall.
Dr. Melissa Martin, Pacer LIFE program director, said events like these are important for the students. "It's awesome to give them the opportunity to do something inclusive and do something that every other college student has done," she explained.
Adam Eubanks is an early learning special education teacher at Mossy Creek Elementary School and volunteered to help with the night. "Pacer LIFE is all about helping with independent skills, getting jobs after college, and helping to do things independently," he said. "It's a good thing to get the students off campus and go to a community event where they can socialize with people like themselves and just get out and practice some of the skills we've been working on," he said.
The Night to Shine event is open to anyone living with disabilities, ages 14 and older. Activities include a red-carpet entrance, limousine rides, dancing, karaoke, and more.
For more information, contact Angela Saxon, angela.saxon@usca.edu