...Then, Two students started a fight...?
Rock Island Argus and The Moline Dispatch
(Rock Island, Illinois) and (Moline, Illinois)
Sept. 24, 2004
GENESEO -- Geneseo Middle School students were just settling into the bleachers for an assembly when Andrew Tamez-Hull, 17, and Josh Welton, 14, started a fight. Jaws dropped when Andrew called Josh a racial slur.
"Man, is this for real?" replied a student.
Andrew and Josh are actors. This skit opens every show the Messages Which Are Hopeful (MWAH!) Performing Arts Troupe performs. Since 1983, the Chicago-based troupe has offered examples of positive alternatives to drugs, discrimination and peer pressure to teens nationwide.
Seven performers from the Chicago suburbs traveled to Geneseo as a prelude to the school's Leadership Education Action Fun (LEAF) program, said Ray Moffitt, MWAH! founder. With previous work in journalism and social work, Mr. Moffitt wanted to bring "edgy," reality-based messages to teens.
"Performing arts is a good way to reach young people," Mr. Moffitt said.
Students were entertained and informed about building self-esteem and confidence. Using versions from today's pop, rock and inspirational songs, the troupe teens sang their messages to help students.
"There's a positive way out of things," said Josh.
Carlos Griffin, 22, Andrew, and Josh made beautiful music with their harmonic version of MercyMe's "I Can Only Imagine." Lisa Cathelyn, 13, got a surprise when Andrew pulled her on stage to sing to her.
"I was kind of like, "Whoa, what's going on?" said Miss Cathelyn. "It was a lot of fun."
Skateboarder Sam Pealstrom, 13, got punk rockers fueled with his versions of "The Anthem," by Good Charlotte, and "Perfect," from Simple Plan.
Skits dealing with abusive relationships also dropped jaws in the audience. Actor Jemell Moore, 26, pulled his "girlfriend," Nastasha Prunty, 17, out of the audience and onto the floor. For new member Nastasha, it's all part of the job.
"This girl's got so much energy," said Andrew.
Teens fired up when the three guys and Chris Allison, 12, put on their dancing shoes to Justin Timberlake's "Like I Love You." Their hot, flawless boy-band dance moves generated pre-teenage screams loud enough to tear the roof off. Chris also put his vocal talents to Billy Gilman's "One Voice," hoping to end discrimination.
"I chose to use my one voice to get help from the people who've helped me," Mr. Allison said to the audience.
His mother, Una Allison, of Aurora, has followed Chris on every performance. His role on MWAH! has made him a role model to his two younger brothers. He's showing other students "it's cool to be good," she said.
Students gave the show two thumbs up. The post show had newfound fans in line after school receiving autographs and meeting the energetic crew.
"I'd like to see them again sometime," said Jena Rice, 12.
