Annawan students receive hopeful messages
Posted September 27, 2014 in the Kewanee Star Courier by Mike Landis, Editor
Annawan High School and junior high choral members participated in the MWAH!
performance on September 22 by singing 'Nothing More,' which was written in
memory of one of the first graders who died in the Sandy Hook Elementary
School shooting nearly two years ago.
MWAH! troupe members Landon Ballard (left), Chad Sype, and Nathan Stevens
sing a special song to Annawan High School student Amy Sparrowgrove. Amy
was recognized for her plan beyond high school to work with kids having
special needs – a plan inspired by her caring attitude towards her younger
sister.
(photos by Scott Harrington)
The mom of one of the three teenagers who died in the Stark County High School drug–related crash nearly three years ago, the mom of a Geneseo youth who committed suicide 14 months ago after being bullied, and the father of a Wheaton teenager who died of a heroin overdose nearly 7 months ago.
All three participated Monday (September 22) in a special issues–oriented performance by the MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe in Annawan.
A discussion session followed the performance.
Kathy Clifford's son, Kelsey, was a 15–year–old sophomore who died following a huffing–related crash outside Kewanee in November 2011.
Jennifer Higgins' son, Joshua Wilson, was a 12–year–old who had just completed the sixth grade at Geneseo Middle School.
And Joel Clousing's adopted son, Keenan, a promising quarterback for the state–ranked Wheaton–Warrenville South varsity football team, had written a personal testimony and poem about his life's journey during his last time in jail and shortly before his final encounter with heroin at the age of 19.
The performance also touched on recent events such as the shooting last month by a white police officer of an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri, and the beheadings of two American journalists and a British aid worker by the militant Islamic State (ISIS).
Abusive relationship segments – child abuse and abusive boyfriend–girlfriend relationships – included a reference to recent reports of domestic violence involving National Football League players.
Participating with the MWAH! troupe (acronym for Messages Which Are Hopeful!) was a 45–member Annawan choral ensemble in a song 'Nothing More' that was written in memory of one of the first grade victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting 21 months ago.
In a rousing upbeat finale, about 40 Annawan High School and junior high dancers joined MWAH! performers in a choreographed dance production, having rehearsed together earlier on Monday.
Six Annawan High School and junior high students also were recognized through song as heroes for their leadership in reaching out to others and for having successfully overcome some special personal challenges.
The essence of the 13–member MWAH! ensemble is real–life drama combined with contemporary music and lots of audience interaction.
Current troupe members range in age from 8 to 17, and they live throughout the western suburbs of Chicago as well as the Rockford area.
The not–for–profit troupe is a suburban and Downstate affiliate of the Chicago Area Project, a grass–roots service and advocacy program and part of an Illinois–wide community services network targeting at–risk youth and their families.
Coordinating the troupe's appearance in Annawan were Brenda Haff and Jill Huber, the junior high and high school Student Council advisors.
For more information about the MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe, visit MWAH! .