photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Sarah Funk walks down the red carpet Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at a Night to Shine at River City Church.

Kelsey King gave a queenly wave as she floated down the red carpet Friday night on the arm of a handsome military escort, while Stacy Tucker, a little more Lady Gaga than Lady Diana, gave raucous fist pumps as she sashayed to her throne.

Those two and 74 others from the Lawrence area were the honored guests Friday night at River City Church, where more than 100 volunteers threw a giant party in their honor.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Kelsey King waves to her admirers Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at a Night to Shine at River City Church.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Stacy Tucker brings the joy Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at a Night to Shine at River City Church.

A “Night to Shine,” which has taken place annually the Friday before Valentine’s Day for the last five years, is celebrated in hundreds of churches across dozens of countries. It was the brainchild of former NFL player Tim Tebow, who wanted to give people with special needs a prom-like experience that they likely missed out on growing up.

Only at this special prom, everyone is royalty as they walk amid bright lights and admirers down a red carpet to a stately throne, where they’re crowned by attendants and photographed by jostling paparazzi. Then they have dinner and a dance, sing karaoke and visit with friends.

For Roy Wallace, it was his first time at the event, which volunteer Thomas Sack called “the best dance in Lawrence, Kansas, all year, as far as I’m concerned.”

Wallace, who was waiting to take his girlfriend for a turn on the dance floor, expressed utter delight at all the fanfare.

“Is this mine to keep?” he asked, clutching the bejeweled crown on his head. “I’m a king!”

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Meredith Baker came illuminated Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at a Night to Shine at River City Church.

Meredith Baker showed off a fancy illuminated skirt, which was such a hit that she’ll likely trot it out again for her 32nd birthday party next week.

Mia Hairston gave warm hugs to passersby and whipped off her evening gloves to display a glittery green manicure, and Special Olympian Brady Tanner put in an appearance, with a Stars and Stripes necktie, ahead of leaving for Italy to participate in a snowshoeing competition next month.

Even KU mascot Baby Jay was in formal wear, though some of the other mascots in attendance, like KC Wolf and an assortment of high school cardinals, bulldogs and penguins opted for a more casual look.

A handful of KU football players, including Cole Ballard and Kobe Baynes, donned evening wear as they escorted some of the guests, who ranged in age from 14 to 76.

Barbara McEldowny, the 76-year-old, told the Journal-World she loved coming to the event every year to “see people, dance and eat.”

Volunteer Debbie Sack said “it took a community” to plan the bash, with all sorts of local organizations, like Chick-fil-A, the Lied Center and many others donating food, props and other items. A large table of swag bags awaited each king and queen at night’s end, and each one contained a special invitation to next year’s bash.

“It’s a real positive atmosphere,” Thomas Sack said. “To see their smiles as they dance down the red carpet … It’s a great, great atmosphere.”

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Partygoers enjoy their dinners Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at a Night to Shine at River City Church.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Barbara McEldowny gets her crown Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at a Night to Shine at River City Church.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Sarah Funk sits on the throne Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at a Night to Shine at River City Church.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Little Rhett was on hand to pass out crowns Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at a Night to Shine at River City Church.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

KC Wolf appears Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at a Night to Shine at River City Church.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Baby Jay congratulates a queen Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at a Night to Shine at River City Church.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Special Olympian Brady Tanner is pictured Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at a Night to Shine at River City Church.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Decorations greeted partygoers Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at a Night to Shine at River City Church.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Plenty of sway gabs were on hand Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at a Night to Shine at River City Church.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Mia Hairston shows off her manicure Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at a Night to Shine at River City Church.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Mia Hairston and her escort share a hug Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at a Night to Shine at River City Church.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Lena Foster shows some spirit Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at a Night to Shine at River City Church.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Baby Jay pays respects Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at a Night to Shine at River City Church.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Crown bearer Rhett waits to present the honor Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at a Night to Shine at River City Church.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Darcy Kraus, left, and Felicia Graham are pictured Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at a Night to Shine at River City Church.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

KU football player Kobe Baynes escorts Jordan Mitchell, left, and Courtney Hazzard, right, Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at a Night to Shine at River City Church.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Barbara McEldowny, 76, walks through the light tunnel Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at a Night to Shine at River City Church.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

KU football player Cole Ballard escorts Dhru Flory Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at a Night to Shine at River City Church.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Each guest at a Night to Shine received a boutonniere on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at River City Church.

photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Bob Hughes sports a Jayhawk suit at a Night to Shine on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at River City Church.