Parents, students and local residents ages 15 to 21 gather for a meal inside Park Place before a special-needs prom commences.

ASHLAND, Ky. — With young people in sparkling dresses and dapper suits across the country celebrating prom season, a group of more than 100 central Kentucky high school students and supporters celebrated and shined during their own special night.

Our Night to Shine, or “special-needs prom” as I Believe Foundation President Michelle Woods called it, hosted about 150 couples ages 15 to 21 for a cost-free night of fun in downtown Ashland.

The event keeps growing, Woods said, as it outgrew its first venue to fill a larger event space.

“We’ve outgrown here, too. We’ll have to look for a new place next year,” Woods said, but she was grateful as the results continue to exceed her initial expectations set when she started the prom for her daughter three years ago.

Each participant is paired with an escort for the night and treated to photos, a formal dinner and, of course, a night of dancing.

Woods said local businesses pitch in by donating dresses, jewelry, shoes, tuxedo rentals and other accessories for those in need.

She began the event as a way to partner with other parents of children with disabilities to give them a safe, fun alternative prom experience.

Katie Smith, who is disabled, had an extra-special night this year.

Local high school graduate Drew O’Bryan developed a bond with Smith after escorting her to the prom for the past two years, but Smith had to opt for a new date when O’Bryan went away on a football scholarship to Western Kentucky University.

“It was a surprise to her and me. I didn’t even know I was going to be in town this weekend,” O’Bryan said as he stood a few feet from Smith and her escort this year, TJ Love.

O’Bryan became interested in helping those with disabilities when his former high school football coach asked the team to volunteer to be escorts at the special-needs prom and in the local Special Olympics.

When the football team became more involved with the event, the number of escorts began to grow for both boys and girls from local schools. Ashland High School football coach Tony Love has continued the tradition.

“Beautiful, beautiful boys and girls,” a woman said as she squeezed through the crowd with her family members as prom-goers filled the atrium of the event space, registering and forming a line to go into the ballroom.

Volunteer Sherri Love, wife of Tony and mother of TJ, handed out flower arrangements bought and decorated by the foundation to girls waiting for their names to be called for their grand entrance.

“These kids don’t get to do stuff like this,” Woods said. “They don’t get to get dressed up and go to dances, so this is a chance for them to do that. The other kids (escorts) keep it going.”

Bellamy writes for the Ashland, Kentucky Daily Independent.