Lighthouse Gala lights up the night

Less than 15 years ago, Jay Johnson was a hometown kid playing football for Kickapoo High School and starring in his school plays. When he reached the age of 21, he made his dreams come true by landing a role on NBC's daytime hit drama, "Days of Our Lives," after packing up and moving to Hollywood. This past weekend, he shared his story of his dreams coming true with local communities and urged support of fine arts programs for young people.

Johnson, guest of honor, joined news personality Ned Reynolds of KY3 and Dr. Judy Rogers, president of Cottey College, as honorees at the Second Annual Lighthouse Gala on Saturday, April 24. The annual fundraising event drew more than 125 people from five states as people came together to celebrate one message: dreams really do come true.

Rogers, who holds an undergraduate degree in speech and theatre, impressed upon the audience the importance of a fine arts education and the confidence it builds in young people. Cottey College, a liberal arts women's college located just 15 minutes from El Dorado Springs, offers performances and exhibitions by groups including the Saint Louis Ballet and the Kansas City Philharmonic. (Contact Kris Korb, campus activities coordinator, at kkorb@cottey.edu for more information.)

Reynolds, longtime news personality from KY3, was master of ceremonies for the evening and encouraged parents, teachers and mentors to help provide more opportunities in the arts for our children.

"Mr. Johnson and I work on the opposite ends of the same field," he said. "However, it takes a lot of self-confidence to be able to do what we do, and the Lighthouse Children's Theatre is helping kids do just that."

Lynne Hedrick, executive director, thanked event sponsors for making the Second Annual Lighthouse Gala possible. Event sponsors include: LCN Graphics, Bob and Barbara Leeper, Horst-Tymon, S-B-Bon Event Planners, Gobbler's Roost Caterers, Silverline Ranch, Floral Creations, Pamida, 417 Magazine, Sun Newspaper, Cedar County Republican, Star Newspaper, Springfield News-Leader, Rovenstine Nursery and Caplinger Mills River Front Resort.

For more information about the programs of the Lighthouse Children's Theatre, or to become a sponsor, visit www.lighthousechildrenstheatre.org.