'Talent' star Boyd to perform at P.R.O.M.

EDITOR'S NOTE: A reference to a 50-50 raffle has been removed. The raffle isn't taking place, since state gaming rules prohibit that activity on the casino premises.

The Sikeston, Mo., man who made a name for himself on the national stage as the opera-singing winner of "America's Got Talent" who later sought political office will headline a weekend fundraiser at Cape Girardeau's casino.

The 2nd annual P.R.O.M. -- People Rising Over Muscular Dystrophy -- is an evening of dinner and dancing with a silent auction and raffles at the Isle Casino Cape Girardeau conference center. The special guest will be recording artist and winner of the 2008 "America's Got Talent" competition Neal E. Boyd.

"It will be great to share my music at a worthy venue like this," Boyd said. "I'm glad to help, and it's going to be a good show. I plan to give folks their money's worth."

Since his win on national TV, Boyd has performed at venue's big and small, locally and in large metropolitan areas. Most recently, he pursued a state House seat as a Republican, but was defeated by incumbent Democratic Rep. Steve Hodges.

Neal E. Boyd was the winner of “America’s Got Talent” in 2008. He has returned to southeast Missouri on multiple occasions to perform. (Associated Press)

Trend Setters School of Cosmetology and State Beauty Supply are co-presenters of the event. Hollie Overstreet, administrator of Trend Setters, said she hopes the effort can match the amount of money raised at last year's P.R.O.M.

"We raised nearly $10,000 last year," Overstreet said. "If we can equal or even surpass that, we'll be happy."

According to Overstreet, the idea for P.R.O.M. originated with Trend Setter students.

"A lot of them are just out of high school and they miss certain things, like prom," she said. "The more they talked about it, the more I thought we might be able to put on a prom as a fundraiser."

Last year's P.R.O.M., held at The Venue in Cape Girardeau, was a fundraiser for the family of Justin Trovillion of Jackson who suffers from muscular dystrophy. This year's event will benefit the family of Lauren Bollinger of Chaffee, Mo., and the family of a person involved in the beauty industry who wishes to remain anonymous.

"She doesn't want any publicity," Overstreet said about the anonymous individual. "She doesn't want her children to become upset."

Another raffle for a $400 Coach purse will go to a scholarship fund established in memory of Parker King, the 10-year-old from Jackson who died in a tragic utility-vehicle accident in December. That raffle isn't happening at the event, as tickets can't be sold at the casino per state gaming regulations.

The dress code for P.R.O.M. is semiformal to formal, but Overstreet encourages participants to wear formal attire.

"As for myself, I'll be in an evening dress," she said. "It's going to be a fun time for everybody."

The 2nd annual P.R.O.M. is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Isle Casino Cape Girardeau's conference center. Dinner will be at 7 p.m. with Neal E. Boyd performing, and dancing will begin at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $25 per person or $45 per couple, with tickets for students priced at $20 each. They may be purchased at Trend Setters School of Cosmetology by calling 335-9977 or at State Beauty Supply by calling 334-8430. For information on how to make a donation to the families being served by P.R.O.M. or to donate to the silent auction, contact Hollie Overstreet at 614-2521 or John Lysell at 382-0787.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent addresses: 777 N. Main St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

835 S. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

615 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo.