The Paper

January 10, 2007

Churchill students receive Messages Which Are Hopeful!

By TERRY HAYWOOD For The Paper

GALESBURG, IL- You could hear jaws drop at Galesburg's Churchill Junior High School auditorium when a shout rose from the audience Thursday, Jan. 4, challenging the African American MWAH! speaker during an assembly. Students had no idea that Bubba Weiler, 13, a thin Caucasian child shouting racial epithets at the speaker, Kyle, an African American who leaped from the stage to open the show, was actually a MWAH! cast member. The fake fight accomplished what planners had hoped it would do -- capture and hold the middle school kids' attention throughout the performance. MWAH! (Messages Which Are Hopeful) is a performing arts troupe from the Chicago area led by executive producer Ray Moffitt, working to convey a message to young people that they are not alone in confronting problems of the day. Last Thursday's performance themes were racial hatred, violence, verbal and sexual abuse, and bullying. According to Moffitt, the ensemble's focus is "finding what is hopeful and good in true life negative situations." "I think this is a great way to convey to our students the importance of how to show respect for themselves and fellow students," said Bart Arthur, Churchill's principal. "These are pretty sensitive topics. A counselor is on hand for any student to talk to afterwards or during the assembly." Weiler, who is an 8th grader from Enunciation Catholic School in Aurora, said what he finds inspiring is having an impact in changing people's lives. "It a lot of fun, and a great feeling to know what you are doing can actually help change someone's life." The ensemble of kids is between the ages of 10 and 17, yet they convey a sense of confidence that far exceeds their years. For instance, Lauren Verstat, 17, is a senior at Wheaton North High School who wants to be a singer. It's not unusual to encounter kids who dream of becoming entertainers, especially at a time when young kids look toward "gangsta rappers" as role models. Yet, the difference between Verstat and other girls her age is that she is actually touring with a performance troupe and refining her skill as an entertainer, and her message is positive. "A young lady approached me after a show and said that she had been considering killing herself until she watched the performance. I gave her my telephone number immediately and she got with a counselor and today she's doing much better," she said. "Our message is that you are not alone, and doing what is popular might not necessarily be the right thing to do." Verstat's attitude is typical of other troupe members; they realize the responsibility accompanying the status of role model and they don't take this lightly. Joshua Welton, 17, who recently completed an inspirational-pop solo album, and Michael Todd Emery, 16, who performs original country ballads, one of which addresses the importance of not rushing into relationships too quickly, take seriously the impact their performances have on their audience. "I want to tell kids to say no to sex and yes to abstinence," Welton said. Emery added, "Our message is one of hope and that you are not alone in coping with difficult problems." The troupe is affiliated with the Chicago Area Project, which is part of a network that includes the Knox County Area Project based in Galesburg. For more information contact Ronda Brady at 309-343-4127.