Proms Make Guests With Disabilities Sparkle & Shine and Point them to Jesus
By Sharon Mager
SEAFORD, DE — For individuals with disabilities and their parents or caregivers, prom night used to be what dreams are made of, but BCM/D churches are among those making those dreams come true. And they do it in a way that challenges guests and glorifies God.
Tom Stolle with the “princesses” representing Pursuit for Peace at Gemstones Prom. (Photo submitted)
On March 29, over 300 excited guests arrived in glitz and glamour for Delmarva’s annual Gemstones Prom, created by Grace Seaford Church Pastor Larry Davis. Grace opened registration on Jan. 1 and it filled up in two weeks.
Gemstones, which began about five years ago, literally brings the community together to partner in putting together this evening of celebration. Like the Tim Tebow Proms that began a decade ago, Gemstones features a red-carpet entrance, karaoke, games, dinner and dancing. Grace Seaford Volunteer Coordinator Kristin Colson said over 170 individuals volunteered to make the evening special.
BCM/D Executive Director Tom Stolle and his wife, Shelley, brought their son, Jimmy, who is affected by severe autism and associated disabilities to Gemstones. “It’s incredible to watch the joy on these individuals’ faces,” Stolle said. That, of course, includes his son. Jackie Dorney has been Jimmy’s “buddy” for the last two years.“ Jimmy loves Jackie, and she loves him. She really connected with him. He likes eating with her, taking walks with her, dancing, really doing anything with her. His favorite part, I think, was just being present and experiencing people loving on him, whether he was doing activities or not. You could see the smile on his face because he was part of something that he knows made him feel good.
Larry Davis, pastor of Grace Seaford, and creator of Gemstones Prom, with BCM/D Executive Director Tom Stolle. (Photo submitted)
One of the event’s highlights included an appearance by Amy Simonson, Ms. Wheelchair Delaware 2025, along with several fancy “princesses,” representing Pursuit for Peace. Guests especially enjoyed dancing with the princesses. Dancing is always a huge highlight for all the proms, and while some enjoy sitting on the side watching or slowly moving, others just let loose and throw themselves into the movement. Stolle said, “There was one young lady in a wheelchair on the dance floor, and people were dancing with her. She couldn’t move her body, but she was laughing and moving her arms. It was just tremendous.”
Colson said another guest favorite is the limo rides.“They would ride all night if they could,” she laughed. At the prom’s end, guests were crowned king or queen of the evening and left with a framed picture and a gift bag,”
Stolle said. “It was just a really good time. “It’s always a special night.” One of Stolle’s personal highlights was when WBOC DelmarvaLife Co-Anchor Jimmy Hoppa, who is also a lay minister, shared a special devotional. “He presented an extremely clear gospel presentation, which I was happy about,” said Stolle, who said that having a message like that, specifically designed for those with disabilities, was special.
Gemstones was the last event of the BCM/D prom “season,” following the Tim Tebow Night to Shine (NTS) proms, held in early February.
A Gemstones Prom guest enjoys having her makeup applied for the special night. (Photo by Tom Stolle)
BCM/D churches that hosted these NTS proms included Cresthill Church, Bowie; Emmanuel Church, Huntingtown; Faith Glen Burnie; Pleasant View Baptist Church, Port Deposit; and First Baptist Church of Waldorf. All of the proms are highly anticipated and fill quickly! Rick Hancock, the pastor of Emmanuel Church, said the father of a young man at the prom told him, “My son counts the days down till Christmas, then puts it away and then counts the days down until NTS.” The energy at each NTS is contagious and joyful. It’s not just the guests who are excited. Volunteers and leaders are also pretty pumped up by the time the event begins.
Margot Painter, a longtime organizer of Cresthill Church’s NTS, was thrilled with their new climactic ending — fireworks. “It was just great!” she said.
Emmanuel Church Chairman of Deacons Bill Holston said, “It’s such a phenomenally good ministry.” Holston said for some time, he was hesitant to volunteer, but God spoke to his heart, and he stepped forward to help. Now he says he said he wouldn’t miss it. “Now it’s my third year, and my granddaughter does it with me.”
Tom and Shelley Stolle took some time out for fun at the Gemstones Prom! (Photo submitted)
Stolle said he appreciates churches with disability ministries and events. “I wish more churches would have events and ministries specifically for these special individuals.” He referred to Luke 14: 13-14, “… When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
Stolle said, “When churches do Night to Shine or when Larry (Davis) does his Gemstones Prom, they are essentially giving a feast! It’s kind of living it out in real-time. I love it when churches do this! I just feel like churches have lots of activities. Why can’t we do something for folks who aren’t going to get to experience what a lot of other people do? Stolle said, “I just want to encourage churches to do this — you’ll be blessed.”
Guests at a Night ot Shine Prom at Emmanuel Church sing ” I’m a Child of God.” (Photo by Sharon Mager)
Feature Photo: Amy Simonson, Ms. Wheelchair Delaware 2025, crowns Jimmy Stolle at the Gemstones Prom. (Photo by Tom Stolle)
Sharon Mager serves as BCM/D communications specialist/Editor of Baptist News.