On Friday night, Calvary Bible Church filled with the quiet, deliberate movements of volunteers checking lists, adjusting decorations, and ensuring the building was ready to welcome everyone who would walk through its doors.

Corsages were laid out. Shoes were straightened under tables. Small details were handled one by one, the kind that don’t draw attention to themselves but matter deeply to the people they’re meant for.

By early evening, families arrived for Mifflin County’s first Night to Shine, a formal dance designed to honor individuals with disabilities. Guests stepped inside dressed for the occasion, greeted by volunteers who slowed their pace to match theirs. For some families, it was the first time they’d attended an event like this without leaving the county.

“Having Night to Shine here in Mifflin County means so much more than hosting an event,” organizer Niki Syoc said. “It means families finally have a place close to home where their loved ones with special needs are fully celebrated, honored, and welcomed. For many, this is the first time they’ve had an experience like this in their own community. It removes the burden of travel and creates something deeply personal and accessible. It tells our families: you belong here, and you matter here.”

Sentinel photo by SAM BAUMGARDNER
Josiah Mertune of Granville sings during karaoke at Mifflin County’s Night to Shine event at the Calvary Bible Church on Friday evening in Burnham.

Night to Shine is part of a nationwide program supported by the Tim Tebow Foundation, with events held simultaneously in communities across the country. While the foundation provides structure and resources, each event depends on local planning and volunteer support. In Mifflin County, that work came together through Hope Collective, a group of local churches working in coordination to support the community.

The idea for a local event developed over time. Families in Mifflin County went to Night to Shine celebrations in nearby Centre County for years, traveling to Harvest Fields Church. As interest grew, capacity limits meant not everyone could be accommodated. For some families, the travel itself became a barrier.

“The idea grew out of listening,” Syoc said. “Hearing from local families who wanted this kind of opportunity closer to home. As more people expressed interest and the need became clearer, it felt like God was opening the door for Hope Collective to step forward. There was a moment when it became obvious the community was ready and willing to step up. The support, excitement, and willingness to serve showed us this was the right time.”

Choosing a location was a practical decision shaped by accessibility and space. Calvary Bible Church provided space for the different parts of the evening and the ability to accommodate guests comfortably. For a first-year effort, that mattered.

“Calvary Bible Church was the right location because of its accessibility and space for all the key portions of the evening,” Syoc said. “From the beginning, Hope Collective, as well as other community churches, organizations, and businesses, embraced the vision of Night to Shine, not as an event, but as a ministry of joy and inclusion.”

Sentinel photo by SAM BAUMGARDNER
The Night to Shine sign lit the gymnasium of Calvary Bible Church.

Inside the church, the night unfolded in small moments. Volunteers pinned boutonnieres and offered their arms. Music filled the room, sometimes loud enough to dance to, sometimes soft enough to let conversations continue. Parents watched from the edges, stepping in when needed, stepping back when they weren’t. For many families, the experience carried a significance that went beyond the evening itself.

“While we’re grateful for the event being held nearby in Centre County, capacity limits meant not every family could be included,” Syoc said. “Beyond that, families shouldn’t have to travel outside their own community to experience something this special. Establishing Night to Shine in Mifflin County ensures more guests can be served and celebrated, and allows our community to take ownership of loving and honoring individuals with special needs right here at home.”

The volunteers understood their roles. They paid attention. They learned names. They adjusted when plans shifted. For a first-time event, the coordination showed the benefit of shared effort.

“For a first-year effort, the volunteers stepped up in incredible ways, giving their time, energy, and compassion to make every guest feel like royalty,” Syoc said. “The teamwork and enthusiasm made it clear this community was ready to do something truly beautiful for our friends who aren’t always celebrated.”

As the evening moved toward its close, there was no hurry to leave. Some guests lingered near the dance floor. Others stopped to hug volunteers they’d met only hours earlier. Parents gathered coats and thanked the organizers, often more than once. Decorations were taken down carefully, not because they were fragile, but because the work that went into them was respected.

Sentinel photo by SAM BAUMGARDNER
Mifflin County High School senior Violet Lansberry, a student of the cosmetology program at The Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology, applies makeup to Mayelin Liriano of Lewistown.

Syoc said the hope is the event will continue.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the Tim Tebow Foundation, our volunteers, churches, and especially to the families who trusted us with this night,” she said. “Our hope is this is just the beginning in Mifflin County. Night to Shine is more than one evening. It’s a reminder of the value, dignity, and worth of every person. We’re honored to bring that celebration to our community.”

By the time the building returned to its usual quiet, the night had left its mark. Not in grand gestures or speeches, but in the careful way the work was done, and the attention given. For a few hours, a community made space, and it did so with intention.

Sentinel photo by SAM BAUMGARDNER
Nicole Hosler of Lewistown celebrates with CJ Pent of McClure while playing Connect 4.