MWAH! as seen in The Register Mail

The Register-Mail November 6, 2007

	Students urged to make right choices Troupe performs at ROWVA HS By Linda Bell l ONEIDA - Singing, dancing and role-playing - all with high energy and "Messages Which Are Hopeful!" - were highlights of the MWAH! performance for grades 7-12 at ROWVA High School on Monday. MWAH! is a performing arts troupe of young people from the Naperville and Aurora area. "There are lots of ways to waste and to save lives. It's all about the C word...choices," a young performer told the audience. The troupe encouraged area students to seek help for any problems they have including broken relationships, bullying, cyber-bullying, racism, alcohol and drug abuse and depression. The focus on depression and suicide included the last words of the late George Terrazas, a track star from Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora, before he committed suicide. Adding to the reality was George's mother, Leticia Starks, of Naperville, who spoke to the students briefly about her son. Chris Gibbs, Victoria, mother of ROWVA graduate Alex Gibbs, who died of a drug overdose in December 2006, also spoke during the assembly, encouraging the students not to use drugs and alcohol. "Alex felt he could handle it. You don't make good decisions when you're not sober or clean. What are you looking for? The answer in my life is God," Gibbs said. She also told students that their teachers and counselors care about them and asked the students to accept their help. Rhonda Brady of the Knox County Area Project said, "I'm another adult who wants you to grow up to be strong." Brady also named others who are willing to help those in distress, including teachers, administrators, Bridgeway and any area pastor. ROWVA students Lydia Mahnesmith, Kyle Brown and Kaitlyn Cuevas and driver's education teacher Joel Zaiser came from the audience to sit on chairs while members of the troupe sang to and then danced with them, in a segment about heroes. The ages of the troupe range from 12 to 21. It is affiliated with the Chicago Area Project, a grassroots service and advocacy agency based in downtown Chicago that is part of a statewide community services network targeting at-risk youth and their families, including the Knox County Area Project. A member of the troupe also thanked the Chicago Sun Times for its sponsorship. MWAH! Executive Producer Ray Moffitt, a former area resident, founded the troupe in 1983. The ROWVA Ministerium paid for the local assembly with offerings and donations collected from ROWVA area churches and the troupe's visit was coordinated by Ministerium President, Pastor Carolyn Weber of the United Church of Oneida. For more information on MWAH! is available at http://www.mwah.net/.		KEN EXUM/The Register-Mail ROWVA High School students and faculty watch and listen as MWAH! troupe member Michael Todd performs Monday morning in the school's gymnasium. KEN EXUM/The Register-Mail MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe member Chris Oechseo, left, Naperville hangs his head as fellow troupe member Simon Rodriguez, Aurora, talks to him about being proud of who he is and all that he is capable of doing during their performance Monday morning at ROWVA High School. KEN EXUM/The Register-Mail Holly Pitney, Cherry Valley, sings during Monday's MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe's performance at ROWVA High School.