On Jan. 29 over 1,000 students, faculty, and community members gathered in the Performing Arts Center for an event hosted by Fellowship of Christian Athletes. It was an event that showcased many talented people.
It was The First Annual Micayla Patterson Entertainment Showcase.
The showcase was held to honor and celebrate the life of Micayla Patterson. Micayla passed away on Sept. 3, 2010 returning home from a John Mayer concert.
“Micayla was our only daughter. We miss her more than words can describe. The depth of our pain and loss is deep, but we know that we will see her again because of her faith in Jesus and ours as well. Our prayer is that at least one person left the show changed,” said Becky Patterson, Micayla’s mother.
Hosting the showcase allowed FCA to honor the memory of Micayla and all the great things she did in devoting her life to Christ.
“Micayla was very involved in FCA, and her life continues to be an inspiration and example to young people,” said Martina Peacock, board member of Fellowship of Chistian Athletes and Director of the showcase.
Peacock proposed the idea to have the show to the FCA board because she’s always been passionate about the arts, but she isn’t the only one.
“Micayla loved music. Although she was an athlete through and through, music was one of her passions. She prided herself on finding new artists that had quirky sounds,” said Mrs. Patterson. “Two of her favorite artists performed in the show: Brooke Ceola and Dustin Rapier.”
Approximately 150 people of all ages were chosen to participate in the showcase helping raise over $11,000 for FCA. All the money will be given to over 80 FCA groups Becky Patterson has worked with in NWA. She has a particular passion for FCA summer camps, and the money will go as scholarships that will aid athletes to attend summer sports and leadership camps.
Besides charging an admission into the showcase, FCA sold showcase t-shirts that bore an original Micayla Patterson painting.
“It will be the logo we use for the show year after year, so that people will grow to associate that image with the Micayla show and FCA,” said Peacock.
The showcase wasn’t simply about raising money; it was a way for people to find out what FCA was all about and how to get involved. The showcase was a way for the community to share Micayla’s story, create lasting memories, new friendships and build something greater than anyone can imagine.
“[It was a way to bring] awareness that we are representing something greater than ourselves,” said Peacock. “Connecting with people that you would never meet otherwise.”
There was no winner for the showcase. It was about people coming together to use their God-given talents.
“I wanted to create a positive event that would unite people from all towns and all schools in NWA,” said Peacock. “Everyone would come together and produce a show that would be inspirational, entertaining, and fun for the whole family.”
The showcase did all Peacock hoped for and more.
For those who were blessed to know Micayla, it was an opportunity to continue her efforts to show the world the hope given in Christ. The showcase allowed people to help a great cause and see how many lives Micayla had touched.
“I pray that everyone enjoyed it, that the Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization was brought to the awareness of the people who performed and who were in the audience, and that Micayla’s memory was honored and hearts were touched,” said Peacock.
Micayla’s memory still lives on strongly and her story is shared with many. Her parents have started a website, www.iCHOOSEhope.org, to continue to share Micayla’s message.
“I would like for everyone to log onto the website and sign up for the weekly ‘Encouraging Minutes’ sent out by Chris and I. It is a website that offers encouragement and is still evolving,” said Mrs. Patterson. “Micayla was passionate about going on a mission trip to Africa, so we have a link that people can go to as well to learn more about the way that we are helping her accomplish her mission in a different way!”
