photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

Stacy Tucker dances down the red carpet at 2026 Night to Shine on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at River City Church.

Most days, Stacy Tucker feels like she has “bricks on my shoulders.” But you wouldn’t know it watching her dance down the red carpet at River City Church on Friday night.

The “bricks,” Tucker said, are the feeling she and other people with special needs have when the world doesn’t understand them, ignores them or worse. However, at Night to Shine, a giant prom-style party that the church hosts each year, “we can just drop some of those bricks off” at least for one night.

“The main thing is being myself,” Tucker said.

This is the sixth year for Night to Shine in Lawrence, and it’s one of dozens of such events held in hundreds of churches around the world on the Friday before Valentine’s Day. It was originally conceived by former NFL player Tim Tebow as a way for people with special needs to have a prom-like experience, something that volunteer Debbie Sack said many may not have had growing up.

“For a lot of them, this is the first prom they’ve ever been to,” she said.

photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

Jessica Schwartz smiles as she’s crowned prom royalty at 2026 Night to Shine on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at River City Church.

photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

Allison Seeman waves as she’s escorted down the red carpet at 2026 Night to Shine on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at River City Church.

The evening starts with a red-carpet procession, where the honored guests are escorted one by one by University of Kansas Army ROTC members and cheered on by cheerleaders, KU football players and mascots like KC Wolf of the Chiefs and Baby Jay. Each guest is crowned a king or queen, then it’s off to the dance floor.

For Peyton Lavin, who showed off her best dance moves in a sparkly red dress, that was the best part of the night. For many others, the highlight is just being with friends and a bunch of other people who care. Jordan Platt said the best part of the night was hanging out with his fiancee, Taimee Matchie Harjo, and she said the best part was hanging out with the cheer squad.

photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

Peyton Lavin dances at the 2026 Night to Shine on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at River City Church.

photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

Taimee Matchie Harjo gets a round of applause after being crowned prom royalty at 2026 Night to Shine on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at River City Church.

There were 81 guests of honor this year, ranging in age from teenagers to people in their 60s and 70s. And of course, it takes the efforts of hundreds of volunteers to make it happen, too, from KU, local high schools and police, fire and EMS departments.

“It’s a labor of love,” said volunteer Tom Sack. This year’s party was “bigger and better than we’ve ever had,” and next year he wants it to be even bigger.

“We want everyone to be celebrated for who they are,” he said.

Tucker, who’s spent a long time as an advocate for people with disabilities, couldn’t agree more. Gesturing to the room full of people dancing and being themselves, she said, “We’re not alone.”

“This is our family,” Tucker said.

photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

Daniel Saripalli bumps elbows with a KU spirit squad member after being crowned prom royalty at 2026 Night to Shine on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at River City Church.

photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

Bethany Barclay smiles after being crowned prom royalty at 2026 Night to Shine on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at River City Church.

photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

Harper Anderson gets a hug from Kansas City Chiefs mascot KC Wolf at 2026 Night to Shine on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at River City Church.

photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

A stretch limo pulls up outside River City Church at the 2026 Night to Shine on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.

photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

Special Olympian Brady Tanner gets a high-five at the 2026 Night to Shine on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at River City Church.

photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

Prom kings and queens dance with KU football players at the 2026 Night to Shine on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at River City Church.