The Williamson County Performing Arts Center at Academy Park and the Williamson County Parks and Recreation Department (WCPR) will host the third annual Shine Your Light Youth Vocal Competition, benefiting the Ray of Light Foundation, Sunday from 6-8 p.m.
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at www.wcpactn.com. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.
Shine Your Light Youth Vocal Competition will be held May 1, 2022.
From 2017-2019, Raymond Cruz fought valiantly with stage 4 Ewing-like sarcoma at just 16 years old. He was a graduate of Centennial High School and was ready to attend college at MTSU in the fall of 2019, but after being diagnosed a third time, his plans changed.
Ray, along with his mother, Blandina Vergara-Cruz, believed in giving back to their community, even before his diagnosis. They both believed “to make a difference in your community, you had to be involved in your community.”
In 2016, Ray organized a fundraiser to record a Christmas album with the CHS choir and backed by musicians and engineers from around Nashville. The album helped raise funds for new risers. Ray also put together a basketball team for the rec center that brought positive influence on teenage boys that we’re having a hard time in high school. He reached out to GraceWorks Ministries, his school principal and other nonprofits to help with the cost.
Ray loved to share his message of hope with people through his music, from the hallways of Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital to even having the opportunity to perform at the Ryman and Bridgestone Arena. In 2019, Ray and his mother started the Shine Your Light Youth Vocal Competition to help raise funds for the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, where Ray received his treatments. The contest helped teach the youth participating to have the courage to share their talents while raising funds to give back to their community.
It was so important to Ray that this legacy was continued. His family and friends continue the competition in Ray’s name and with his spirit guiding them.
“Thank you for helping our family continue Raymond’s story,” Blandina Vergara-Cruz said. “He taught us so much, and we hope by sharing his story we can support others as well.”
For more information on Ray and the Ray of Light Foundation, visit www.RayofLightTN.com.
The Williamson County Performing Arts Center at Academy Park is at 112 Everbright Ave. in Franklin.
