NEW YORK - Area natives Peter A. Proctor and Sheri E. RaglandProctor are spearheading a major fundraising campaign in New York City.
Peter is the youngest of eight children born in Salem. He attended Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University, majoring in vocal performance and musical theatre.
He graduated from Choffin School of Practical Nursing as an LPN.
Sheri is the oldest of three children. She graduated from Youngstown Ursuline High School. She received her bachelor's of science degree from Kent State University and MPA from Columbia University in New York City.
Peter and Sheri were married in Youngstown at Calvary Ministries International.
He worked as an administrative nurse for two neurologists at the Columbia Comprehensive Epilepsy Center in New York City. Peter also did outpatient clinicals and assisted three epileptologist.
He was approached by the Center to plan a fundraiser for epilepsy to further research, increase knowledge, tolerance and ultimately find a cure for the growing disorder.
Peter and Sheri took on the challenge and implemented a strategic team to promote the first annual fundraiser co-hosted by the Columbia Comprehensive Epilepsy Center and the Epilepsy Coalition of NYS, Inc.
This event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 7 at The National Track and Field Armory in New York City. Olympic hockey team goalie Chanda Gunn and New York Jets guard Alan Faneca will be honored as well as the fastest woman in the world, the late Florence Griffith Joyner, simply known around the world as "Flo Jo." Her husband, Olympic gold medalist Alfrederick Joyner, will receive the award on her behalf.
Season three American Idol winner, Grammy nominated R&B singer and Broadway star Fantasia Barrino will perform as the gala guest star.
The Proctors, having strong ties to the valley, received the theme of this event called "The Importance of One" from Bishop Norman L. Wagner, pastor of Calvary Ministries International. Diedra Aey (Snap Shots), from the are,a has been commissioned to design the awards for the honorees. Samara Sutton, daughter of Diedra and David Aey, is an AP Art student, freshman at Mount Union College and is one of the featured artists. Her work has been displayed at McDonough Museum and permanently displayed at Akron Children's Hospital.
The gala will open with a much-anticipated reunion of the Oliver Sisters, four sisters born and raised in the Valley by their parents. Elder John Oliver and Betty Oliver, who also attend Calvary Ministries International. Jessica Oliver, choreographer and dancer, got her start with Arch Angel Dance Theatre under the direction of Karen Clark Green. Jessica went on to become the dance director of Cleveland School of the Arts. Christa Oliver also got her start with Arch Angel Dance Theatre, and went on to study dance at Akron University. Christa moved to London, England to study dance at Laban University where she received her master's in dance. Christa now lives in Los Angeles where she is a principal dancer with Lula Washington Dance Theatre. She will appear in two movies called AVATAR, in theaters in December (written and directed by James Cameron) and Crazy on the Outside (directed by Tim Allen), in theaters in 2010. Christa was recently cast as a dancer and understudy for Squeak in musical The Color Purple, which will tour in 2010. Jerrica Oliver, the youngest of the Oliver sisters also got her start with Arch Angel Dance Theatre and is now a freshman at Akron University studying dance and fashion. Ja-Ne Oliver has been featured as a soloist on recordings with Calvary Ministries International, Emmett Nevels and other local gospel recording artists. Ja-Ne also got her start as a dancer with Arch Angel Dance Theatre and is now a vocal performance major at Dana School of Music.
"The Importance of One" - Epilepsy Gala/Fundraiser will also feature New Castle resident Vaughn Hudspath as MC. Hudspath is internationally known by National Geographic as an international teaching ambassador.
Other featured guest artists are Jim Papoulis world renowned composer and conductor YPC (Young Peoples Chorus of New York City' Steven Brinberg/ Simply Barbra and Peter Proctor.
- Submitted material
