MWAH! Makes Music, Meaningful Messages
The Clay County Republican
(Clay City, Illinois )
March 2, 2006By Beth Fancher
A little bit of country and a little bit of rock and roll, with a whole lot of messages, is what MWAH! a Performing Arts Troupe brought to the students at North Clay High School, Wednesday morning.
MWAH! is an acronym for Messages Which Are Hopeful! Messages which are hopeful…healthy …and hard to forget. Messages of energy….emotion…and creative thought. Messages from young people on a mission. A mission to influence others through the performing arts-dance…theatre… song…and mime-as well as through discussion and by example.
For 75 minutes the seven-member troupe kept the students sitting on the edge of their seats. The program started with an unexpected altercation related to racial differences between a young black man and a young Latino man. With the help of two teachers they were split up. Soon it was realized the program had begun and these were two members of the troupe.. Little DC (David Scazone – 10 years old) related to the crowd “And What Do I Know?” encouraging Carlos and Andrew to reconcile their differences and embrace. The two young men talked to the students about everyone being different but yet everyone being the same,
The school assembly included the students from North Clay as well as Clay City High School.
The NCHS and Clay City FCCLA Chapters and the Clay City Academic Foundation sponsored the program. Coordinating the program was Mrs. Karen Ritter of NCHS, adviser for the FCCLA chapter
One of the skits was a violent altercation between a girlfriend and boyfriend, ending with the boyfriend throwing his girlfriend to the ground. Following this, 12-year old George Bischoff of Naperville, (a member of the troupe) talked to the assembly about love and violence. Speaking about respect between girlfriends and boyfriends. At one point the kids were off-stage taunting George.
Making fun of him for the things he liked to do and the people he hung around with. Mikey Emery, age 15, consoled George by telling him that he knew people made fun of him and telling him he had to believe in himself.
Another member of the troupe – Carlos, spoke briefly about the relationship that drove him to attempted suicide. Current country and popular songs were sung relating to these issues. They included, Whiskey Lullaby, That’s What Love is All About, Don’t Laugh at Me and We Belong Together. These songs were sung by the beautiful voices of Mikey Emery, Jessie Scarzone, Lauren Verstat, George Bischoff, Carlos Griffin and Andrew Hall.
Among the issues addressed were finding healthy alternatives to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, resolving abusive relationship problems associated with bullying, jealousies, and control; eliminating discrimination stemming from differences among people; and developing coping skills when confronted with negative peer influences and low self-esteem.
A focal point for MWAH! is the importance of choices. An overall objective is to inspire young people to face life’s challenges and opportunities with knowledge, confidence, and a positive self-image.
The death of a western Illinois teenager, Ryan Murdock, was a focus of one of the performances by MWAH!. With this Holly Fender, a student at NCHS, spoke about a former classmate, Shane Lewis, who died in an alcohol related accident over a year ago. She spoke of Shane as a person who loved life and told the student body they have choices in life. Holly said drinking is a large part of after school activities and everyone has a choice, they don’t have to be like everyone else. Be different – stand up for yourself – Holly said!
Three members of a local American Legion Post presented the flag, while Jesse, Lauren and Mike sang the song, Arlington. Lauren Verstat spoke about her brother being in Iraq and then NCHS student Felicia Sowers talked about her boyfriend, Matt Irmen, and how she was proud of him for fighting for our freedom. Tina Irmen, Matt’s sister, joined Felicia for this tearful moment.
Troupe member Lauren Verstat read a letter from Ryan Murdock’s mother. In the letter, Mrs. Murdock wrote she would never hear the words “I love you” again from Ryan. She wrote that parents only check up on their kids because they love them and want to try to help them make right decisions. She questioned herself about what she could have done better to help her son and she knew that if Ryan was alive he would say, tell them not to make the same mistakes that I did.
The Director of the Performing Arts Troupe, Ray Moffitt, started the program 13 years ago. He is a retired social worker with the Maywood Illinois Police Department. His background and love for the performing arts brought him to this program. Originally the program was an alternative for gangs but the current members of the troupe are all positive roll models with talents and “hearts & heads in the right places.”
MWAH! is affiliated with the Chicago Area Project, an outreach program based in downtown Chicago. They put on several shows a month, traveling all over Illinois. Mr. Moffitt said they might be going as far as Texas this summer with the troupe. The program is a non-for profit charitable organization with the proceeds divided among the members. MWAH! is available for any organization or conferences that deal with young people. Director Moffitt praised the students for the added special touches to the program.
The members of the cast all ranged in age from 10 to 23. Most of them were found in talent shows or in try-outs. Many of them have aspirations to become singers or actors. With their wonderful singing voices, acting abilities and confidence, they are well on their way.
If just one student got something out of this program is was worth every minute!
