The Paper of Dwight, Illinois

DWIGHT -- An alcohol-related crash exactly three months earlier that killed a Dwight woman and her two young children; a surreal moment of bigotry and hatred towards a visiting Muslim exchange student from Afghanistan; some special heroes from several area high schools; and the realization a couple of weeks earlier in Washington, D.C. of a dream expressed in that city by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. nearly 46 years ago.
These are among the issues that were addressed by the MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe (acronym for Messages Which Are Hopeful!) during a performance as part of a Section 11 meeting of the FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) held Friday, February 6, at the Dwight United Methodist Church.
Attending were students and their FCCLA advisersfrom four area high schools Dwight, Tri-Point, Prairie Central and Woodland.
Discussing the November 6 crash that killed Amanda Jahn, her three-year-old son, Ryan, and her 11-month-old daughter, Kaitlyn, was Grundy County Coroner John Callahan and Josh Jahn,husband and father of the victims. This commentary followed the story of another alcohol-related crash that killed five teenagers two years ago in Oswego.
The teenage MWAH! troupe also focused on the issues of child abuse (a true story about a little girl named Alyssa); the possible consequences of teen bullying, with reference to the massacres at Virginia Tech University and Northern Illinois University; the conviction in Federal court several months ago of a mom who perpetrated a MySpace cyber-bullying hoax which led to the suicide of a suburban St. Louis girl; and an abusive boyfriend-girlfriend relationship.
Inspirational gospel, pop, country, and bluegrass helped convey the messages of hope. A common thread was choices and the importance of continually striving to make the right ones. The troupe combines real life drama with various genres of both cover and original songs and capped off with a touch of signature hip hop dance.
The 14-member ensemble, all of whom are students attending public, parochial,and home schools, live in Plainfield, Naperville, Aurora, Downers Grove, Romeoville, Cherry Valley, and Rockford.
Further information on the MWAH! troupe is available on its website at www.mwah.net. The troupe also may be contacted by phone at 630-993-0003 or 630-881-6730