Beloit Daily News in Beloit, Wisconsin

February 15, 2011

Sending a hopeful message

By Hilary Dickinson (hdickinson@beloitdailynews.com)

Published: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 11:02 AM CST

MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe aims to help students

ROCKTON — Students were cheering and dancing on Monday morning as the gymnasium of Stephen Mack Middle School was enlivened with Katy Perry and Beyonce songs.

The music, however, wasn't just for fun.

The MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe used lively songs along with realistic skits and insightful commentary to convey inspirational messages of hope, tolerance, and respect to the students.

"It was awesome," said Beth DeVries, a school social worker who invited the downtown-Chicago based troupe. "They deliver positive messages in a fun, energetic, hip way so (students) listen."

Some of the issues and recent events the MWAH! (an acronym for Messages Which Are Hopeful!) troupe touched upon were Muslim discrimination and the shootings in Tucson, Ariz., which took the life of 9-year-old Christina Taylor Green.

Others hit closer to home for the middle school students such as bullying due to racism, sexuality, and economical conditions.

"Each of us deserves to be understood and appreciated for who we are," said emcee and troupe member Chris Oechsel. "Inside (bullying) might destroy you, but you have control over how you react."

To showcase the importance of diversity, three troupe members demonstrated to the audience what it would look like if they all walked the same, talked the same, laughed the same, and even ate an apple the same way.

"Diversity works, and it's such a great thing," Oechsel pointed out.

The MWAH! troupe also shared the tragic circumstances of the recent suicides of Illinois teenagers Blake Mallinger and Dylan Wagner.

"It was a permanent solution to a temporary problem," said a friend of Mallinger's, according to troupe member Sarah Saltiel.

"Life's hard but the dark times and sad moments don't last forever," Saltiel added. "You need to reach out to get help. Reaching out is a sign of strength — not of weakness."

Abuse — including between girlfriends and boyfriends and between parents and children — was also discussed by the MWAH! troupe.

After two members acted out a physical confrontation and a visceral audio recording of a father yelling at his young child was played, Oechsel said it's important to get help for yourself or a friend by telling a trustworthy adult about the abuse.

Sixth grader Zoe Chipalla said she could relate to the MWAH! troupe's performance because a while ago she knew of a fellow student who was being abused.

"I thought (the performance) was great — really inspirational," said Chipalla, who added that her favorite part was when student heroes were recognized.

DeVries announced the names of six student heroes and called them down to the floor of the gymnasium where they were then serenaded by troupe members' rendition of Enrique Iglesias' "Hero" — much to the amusement of the squealing audience.

"It was a chance to recognize those in school who are making a difference," Chipalla said of the hero skit.

Speaking of making a difference, Oechsel said that's his favorite part of performing in the MWAH! troupe.

"I love it. The best part is helping kids out," the 17-year-old Naperville resident said. "I've been in (the troupe) for five years, and it's still fantastic. If we change one kid's life, then we did our job."

The MWAH! troupe is a non-profit ensemble comprised of 11 members ranging in age from 9 to 20 who hail from nine different cities and towns across Illinois.

For more information on the troupe, visit www.mwah.net.