Document text
http://www.omniture.com --> Email Story to a Friend June 15, 2006 Teddy Walston is raising money for the Clinica by putting on a talent show at the Ginger Rogers Craterian Theater this weekend. The winner receives a $1,000 prize. (Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell) Talent for leadership By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune Rogue Community College student Teddy Walston knows what it's like to need a helping hand. That's what he's offering by organizing a talent show to benefit mental health programs at La Clinica del Valle. The show hits the stage of the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theatre in downtown Medford on Friday. It will feature 15 local performers vying for a $1,000 prize in front of a panel of judges. "At a commuter college like this it's hard to get people to come together for an event, but I wanted to do something big for a worthy cause, like La Clinica," Walston said. Walston, 24, has cerebral palsy and is a patient at La Clinica's west Medford clinic, so he was familiar with the community health center. He's also a sociology and psychology student, aware of the growing need for mental health care for the working poor in the face of state budget cuts. "I know we won't scratch the surface of the need, but at least La Clinica will get some exposure so people know about it," he said. Maria Ramos Underwood, development director at La Clinica del Valle, said the program was honored to benefit from the hard work of Walston and his fellow students. "He is just an amazing, amazing young man," she said. "We love it when community members notice what we are doing and want to help, especially when he is one of our patients." In a round-about way, Walston landed in Oregon as a result of his need for help with daily tasks. When the Brooklyn-born and -bred Walston and his family moved to New Jersey when he was 18, the condo they lived in didn't have a ramp for his wheelchair. He could only come and go when someone was around to help him, so he turned to his computer for companionship. He met Martina Smith of Medford online, and their electronic connection led to visits, and finally, his move to Medford in 2004. The couple is now engaged. He's studied at RCC for about a year and is president-elect of the student body, as well as its wellness director. He pitched the idea of the talent show this spring and students sprang into action. Student body officers convinced administrators to support their endeavor, raised prize money from sponsors, and distributed fliers to attract performers. Then they auditioned about 50 local acts: jugglers, belly dancers, musicians of various genres, even a soccer-player strip act which didn't make the show's cut. "We had some interesting acts. Let's just leave it at that — interesting," Walston said. The team of student judges — Walston, student body President Tanya Dungey and Jesse Boutin — selected the top talent with the help of Eric Smith, music teacher at Griffin Creek Elementary and Walston's fiancee's father. A fifth judge, Megan McCarrick, will join the panel Friday to collect audience response to the top acts. Performers include local bands Screaming Gulch, Dead Sea Pedestrians, Bad Racket, bluesman Dan Tiller, cellist Allegra Archer, singer-songwriters, rappers, a flag twirler and more. "This event encompasses so many styles," Walston said. "It was important for this show to represent the entire community." He said the show is family friendly. Nearly 500 tickets at the 750-seat theater had sold by Wednesday, he said. Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4485 or at [email protected] Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations --> online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Entertainment Guide --> Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Casino Reviews