WJEZ Radio (98.9 FM) - Program on positive choices coming to Prairie Central
November 20, 2011
By Kent Casson
An interview by WJEZ (98.9 FM) news and program director Kent Casson with Tonya
Dieken, principal of Prairie Central Junior High School in Forrest,
Illinois, as broadcast November 21, 2011, is here
The MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe on stage at Mannheim Middle School in Franklin Park, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago, on August 19, 2011.
Attending the two 90-minute presentations as part of a kick-off for the new school year were about 850 students in grades 6-8 who live in or near Franklin Park, Melrose Park, and Northlake.
Shown in the first row (from left) are Lexi Parr, Chris Oechsel, Chris Honn, Mason Ridenour, Wynd Ridenour, and Taylor Oechsel. Shown behind them are Shawn Conerton, Sarah Saltiel, Alex Oechsel, Rob Delgado, Jake Smith, and Ashley Stonehouse.
(Photo by Scott R. Harrington of Photography by Harrington Studio)
FORREST, Illinois — A program on texting safety and other positive choices is coming to P.C. Junior High (WJEZ file photo).
Topics like bullying, child abuse and ethnic discrimination will be covered during an assembly at Prairie Central Junior High School on Monday morning.
Members of the MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe will perform at 9 a.m. and State Senator Shane Cultra will comment on current laws dealing with bullying and teen driving. Cultra’s comments will follow true stories conveyed by MWAH! Troupe members about youth suicides and teen car crashes involving alcohol and careless driving.
Prairie Central Junior High principal Tonya Dieken says the dangers of texting will also be covered during the assembly.
"A new topic that they are adding this year includes texting while driving - or in our kids' cases, texting while your bicycling or doing something else. It is about making positive choices," said Dieken.
Several Prairie Central Junior High students and staff members will be recognized as heroes for their achievements in providing various types of leadership. Also, the students will join the troupe in a choreographed hip hop dance mix.
MWAH! stands for 'Messages Which are Hopeful' and combines real life drama with contemporary music and audience interaction.