PHS students heard several gripping stories about teenagers who struggled with life issues.
(Photos by Dan Eyrich, staff photographer)

POSTED BY: Dan Eyrich JANUARY 28, 2016

The MWAH! troupe shares a final message with students.
(Photos by Dan Eyrich, staff photographer)

Most school assemblies deal with fundraising, listening to a keynote speaker, or pumping students up for a big game. They are often a struggle to sit through and quickly forgotten. But on Monday in the PLT Middle School Gym, 6 – 12 graders had no idea that the assembly they were about to experience would be one they will long remember and perhaps save their lives.

The 12–member MWAH! troupe (Messages Which Are Hopeful!), is made up of students from 9 to 17 years of age who use real life drama, combined with contemporary music and audience interaction to make a connection with their audience.

The group travels the state during the school year performing 2 – 3 times a month. Members not only recite stories of life changing events about other teenagers, but several have been either the victim or closely associated with victims of teenage tragedies. Topics presented included religious and racial discrimination, drug addiction, youth suicide, bullying, and abusive situations. The common thread through all of the topics discussed is, "Tell someone."

School Guidance Counselor Kristie Cady set up the visit after brainstorming with staff about a unique way to get the message across to students about seeking help when they encounter problems. "We felt it might be better to have someone from outside the school give the message that we preach all the time," said Cady.

Omar Babu reacts to racial slurs being yelled at him.
(Photos by Dan Eyrich, staff photographer)

The program "got real" immediately as the first topic of racial and religious discrimination erupted into a stunning verbal tirade from a PHS students directed at Muslim member of the troupe as he talked about his religion. Omar Babu, a 14 year old student from Moline High School and a member of the Islamic Center of the Quad Cities, recently joined the group to help educate people on his religion.

The offending student was immediately taken out of the assembly by Principal Josh Johnson. Students were left in an unsettled atmosphere as they tried to process what had just occurred. Minutes later the student, Brad Hufman, was brought back into the assembly and apologized for his behavior. The catch was that the entire event was staged.

Jennifer Higgins shares the story of her son Josh's suicide with his picture in the background.
(Photos by Dan Eyrich, staff photographer)

Hufman had been approached the previous week by Cady to see if he would be willing to participate. " At first I didn't want to, but then I decided it was for a good cause." During his outburst he said several friends sitting around him tried to forcefully sit him down and said they couldn't believe what he had done. Hufman, who wants to pursue a career in law enforcement commented on the assembly saying," I wish a lot more people could have seen this. Most people don't get it until you see it in front of you." He added that he teared up during the presentation relating to his own tragedy of losing his father two years ago.

Students were not the only presenter as Jennifer Higgins addressed the students to tell the story of how her 12 year old son Josh took his own life while a middle schooler in Geneseo due to his struggle with a family divorce. When asked why she does it she said,"If I can stop just one child from doing it (suicide) it makes all my efforts worthwhile."

The program did not just dwell on the darker side of life, but sprinkled throughout the program were songs of hope and strength performed by the cast as well as the PHS choir. A dance number featuring the PHS Dance Team was also part of the morning performance.

Brittney Bender gets a hug after her "Hero Story" was shared.
(Photos by Dan Eyrich, staff photographer)

Counselor Cady also recognized six students form the high school for being "heros" in their own way. Megan Wetzell, Eden Buyno, Brittney Bender, Logan Marshang, Dontae Johnson, and Chris Schempf were all called down from the bleachers to sit in front of the student body as Cady read a brief description of their challenges and how they have overcome them.

At the end of the performance students were invited to sign up for a group discussion with the troupe members and staff to talk more about issues they may be facing. Students who wanted more privacy were told to sign up with their school counselors. Cady told the staff to "Be prepared for a 4–lane highway of traffic through the guidance office," over the next week.

Further information about the MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe may be found on its website at www.mwah.net