Fundraiser puts talent on display
Most people are familiar with music education, but Miss Leavenworth County Paula Prosser wants to take it a step further.
The Tonganoxie native is promoting music for wellness and is turning to her home community to get involved.
“I am interested in the healing effects of music,” Prosser said. “We must promote and support music education first and then we can get into therapy. The idea is not very well known but it is something people should really know about and consider.”
Prosser is teaming up with the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation to raise awareness of music therapy and raise money for school music programs. She will be playing host to a communitywide talent show at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 11, at the Tonganoxie High School auditorium. Prosser is inviting the community to either participate or attend the show.
People interested in participating can pick up registration forms at Tonganoxie and Basehor schools, United Methodist Church and First State Bank & Trust. Acts, either groups or soloists, are limited to 3 minutes and must include music.
There will be three age divisions, elementary, middle and high school/adult. Talent winners will receive prizes — first prize being $100, donated by First State Bank & Trust.
There is a $10 entry fee per act; a goodwill donation will be collected for admission. Any attendee donating more than $10 will be entered in a raffle.
Prosser said all people participating and attending the show will benefit from the experience, but Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation will be the real winner. All proceeds will go to the foundation.
“I am excited to be working with them,” Prosser said. “They are a group that raises money to buy instruments and music accessories for schools in need.”
Both Prosser and the foundation support music for wellness. Prosser believes she is “changing lives through music.”
“Music allows the mind to focus on something else, other than the disability or illness,” she said. “Music is the nonthreatening medium.”
Prosser will participate in the Miss Kansas Pageant in early June in Pratt.
— Jess Skinner is a Kansas University journalism student. Her work will appear in The Mirror this semester