Night to Shine Event Doubles in Attendance, Creating Unforgettable Moments

The second annual Night to Shine prom, hosted by Madison County Vineyard Church and First United Methodist Church of London, was a resounding success, nearly doubling in attendance from last year. The event, which celebrates individuals with special needs, welcomed 41 Kings and Queens to an evening of dancing, joy, and heartwarming surprises.

Among the many touching moments of the evening, one story stood out—the Vance family reunion. Travis Vance, one of the honored guests, was surprised by his identical twin brother, Officer Dustin Vance, who arrived in full police dress blues. As the brothers reunited, Travis greeted Dustin with an emotional bear hug, a moment that brought tears to those who witnessed it.

Another highlight was King Titus, an energetic guest who never left the dance floor. Cheering for every King and Queen as they were crowned, he later took the microphone and exclaimed, "This is the BEST NIGHT EVER!! I love every person here… NIGHT TO SHINE 2025!!" His enthusiasm was the perfect finale to an already magical evening.

The success of Night to Shine would not have been possible without the dedicated volunteers who contributed their time and energy. From decorating to serving meals and acting as buddies for the guests, volunteers played a crucial role in ensuring every attendee felt like royalty.

Special thanks were given to Pastor Denny Tatman of Vineyard Church, Pastor Dave Leckrone and Youth Minister Katlyn Hanna of First United Methodist Church for their support and prayers. Local businesses, including Dairy Queen, Wilson Printing & Graphics, Dwyer’s Hardware, and Sovereign Village, also contributed to making the night a success.

Each special guest walked the Red Carpet, cheered on by an enthusiastic paparazzi team, and was crowned King or Queen by the end of the night. More than just an evening of celebration, the event reinforced a powerful message: these individuals are not defined by their special needs but are cherished members of the community, deeply loved by those around them.

The joy, smiles, and tears of happiness throughout the evening were clear indicators of the event’s success. As one volunteer reflected, "If the only things we need to improve for next year are minor details, then we put together a pretty amazing event!"

Looking Ahead & How to Support Future Events

While the event has been supported by grants from the Tim Tebow Foundation, funding will only be available for one more year. To ensure Night to Shine continues in the future, the community is encouraged to contribute through donations or by providing swag bag items for the Kings and Queens. Donations can be sent to:
London First United Methodist Church
Attn: Night to Shine
52 North Main Street, London, OH 43140

For more information on donating swag bag items, contact Melinda Scott at [email protected].

With the overwhelming success of this year’s event, Night to Shine 2026 is already highly anticipated. It will be held on February 13th, 2026! The message remains clear: every individual deserves a night to shine—and thanks to this community, they do.