Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Tue, 01 Mar 2016 | Shelley Andrews | LUCOM Marketing and PR
From an expert in the art of whistling to a 9-year-old comedian, there was a little bit of everything to enjoy at the Stars for Guatemala Fundraiser Talent Show on Feb 27., hosted by Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM).
The crowd watched 16 acts compete at the Towns-Alumni Lecture Hall at Liberty University.
The big winner of the night was Stephanie Wesley, LUCOM student-doctor, class of 2018. She claimed the $500 first prize with her musical theater act, “My Party Dress.” She also took home the Audience Choice prize of $500.
“I was completely shocked,” said Wesley. “All of the acts were amazing so I was definitely not expecting to win anything. I was just looking forward to performing and watching everyone share their talents.”
Wesley says she was a part of plays in high school but really started to find her groove with musical theater during her involvement with the Pasquerilla East Musical Company at the University of Notre Dame.
“I really fell in love with being on stage and getting to portray a different character, but the little girl in “My Party Dress,” which I first performed during my junior year of college, has been one of my favorite characters by far,” said Wesley.
Another favorite for the judges was Liberty University sophomore Roger Payne. He received the $100 second place prize for his incredible beat-boxing skills, a talent he has been working on for 11 years.
“I tried out hoping to win some prize money but also knew that no matter what happened, people who needed more help than me were going to get the help they need because of what I contributed and what the other acts contributed,” said Payne.
“It was such a blast to do this. And it also makes sense, as Christians, to take our talents and help others,” said James Cook, Director of Medical Outreach and International Medicine.
All proceeds from the talent show will go towards LUCOM medical outreach efforts in Guatemala, which is also one of the medical school’s protracted clinical rotation sites.
LUCOM has a strong, continuing partnership with Hope of Life International in the Zacapa region.
“The money will help equip a clinic that we are wanting to build in Zacapa. Our goal after this year’s fundraising events is to have raised $130,000 to purchase x-ray machines, laboratory equipment, and enough materials to equip 14 examination rooms,” said Cook.
Wesley was a part of the inaugural LUCOM medical outreach trip to Guatemala last summer and is looking forward to traveling to the country again in March, to provide women’s health services to the Zacapa region.
Her favorite moment last year was visiting HOLI’s Kelly’s House for children with special needs.
“I’m very interested in working with children with special needs, so I really enjoyed learning how we can adapt the techniques we learn in class to any disabilities that our patients may have,” said Wesley.
LUCOM’s involvement in Guatemala is only just beginning. With continued support from the community, through fundraisers like Stars for Guatemala, more and more lives will be saved.
“We will always have the poor with us and the workers will always be few. There can never be enough awareness and never enough doctors to help. But, we are trying to answer a call that we believe can help, one clinic at a time,” said Cook.