Shelby Shines Prom features Disney characters

Monday, April 28, 2025 at 10:37 AM

By Don Collins

Mickey Mouse with admiring friends with special needs

Over 90 people attended the first-ever “Shelby Shines Prom” held at the American Legion Victory Post #70 on Saturday.

The First Christian Church of Shelbyville with Reverend Ralph Botte and their congregation sponsoring and organizing the prom. It featured dinner, regular and line-dancing, sing-a-longs, games, and a huge number of door prizes donated by many people and public organizations. After the dance, the King and Queen of the prom were selected. They were; Johnny Dishman as King and Jane Webb as Queen.

Even though the recommended dress was “come as you are,” many people really dressed up in their best gowns and other really nice attire.

Tammie Blacke (center) dancing with friends at the prom

The Arc of Shelby County and the Shelbyville VC Aktion Club were invited to partner with the church and helped serve on the planning committee that worked out the details of the event. The church and other volunteers felt the event was so enjoyed and so successful, it has been planned to be held again next year. It was clear from the happy smiles that every person attending really had a great time and was beyond grateful to the First Christian Church for creating and making this event happen.

The Arc of the United States is an organization serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization was originally founded in the 1950's by parents of individuals living with disabilities (I/DD). Since that time, the organization has established state chapters in 39 states, with 730 local chapters and 150,000 members in states across the country. The Arc of the United States is based in Washington, D.C., and The Arc of Indiana was formed in 1956 and is in Indianapolis, IN. The Arc of Shelby County was re-activated in 2015 and currently has over 400 members.