The Herald News

SHOREWOOD -- The students and staff at the Troy Middle School didn't know what to expect when their recent assembly was interrupted by a verbal act of bigotry and hatred towards a visiting Muslin exchange student from Afghanistan.

It took a few moments before the audience realized that the hurtful and racist remarks were one of the issues addressed by MWAH! (Messages Which Are Hopeful!) Performing Arts Troupe.

During the 75-minute presentation the troupe sent messages about abuse, racism, cyber bullying, anorexia, bulimia and other issues that today's teens face to let them know they can stand up for themselves and get help if they need it.

"The MWAH! Performance was absolutely fantastic! I loved the beginning with the racial slur and then how he apologized for it," said Elyssa Krmpotich, 13-year old eighth-grader.

"The singers were outstanding, every single one of them. I was inspired by the lyrics of their original songs. When I walked out of the auditorium I was dazzled and felt like I could become anything I wanted," she said.

Krmpotich agreed with her classmates that the performance was oozing with greatness. "I loved it all," she said.

Through singing, dancing, acting and sometimes talking to the students, MWAH! members, ages 9 to 18, got their attention, earning cheers and applause.

A number of the troupe members live in or attend school in Plainfield. Schools they attend include Richard Ira Jones Middle School, John F. Kennedy Middle School, Plainfield South High School and Plainfield North High School.

"Our MWAH! troupe has a significant Plainfield touch now -- more troupe members than any of the other communities represented," said Ray Moffitt, who started the group and also directs it.

Moffitt said the group's performance consists of inspirational gospel, pop, country and bluegrass -- all conveying messages of hope.

"A common thread is choices and the importance of continually striving to make the right ones. The troupe combines real life drama with various genres of songs and capped off with a touch of signature hip hop dance," Moffitt explained.

Fourteen-year-old Kelci Bannister said she didn't expect the MWAH! performance at her school to be so good. "These performers sent out such good and positive messages to help kids our age with problems. Not only were the messages great but the acting, the singing, and the dancing was unbelievable," she said.

Bannister, who is an eighth-grade Troy Middle School student, said she never expected that a group of kids her own age could put on such an exciting and helpful show. "I enjoyed it so much," she said.

Alex Oechsel, 13, is in her second year of performing with MWAH! She even has an older sister who performs with the troupe. She said the group's performances were a great way to teach kids. They can have fun while learning and they will listen to other kids," she explained.

Christian Rodriguez, 17, who plans to be a youth pastor some day, joined the troupe some two years ago after they came to his school. After seeing their performance Rodriguez said he knew then that he wanted to be a part of this awesome group.

"Not enough kids know the truth. We are here to spread the truth and to set good morals," Rodriguez said.

David Scarzone, 13, has been dancing for six years and with the MWAH! troupe for three years. He wants to help improve the troupe by way of their dancing and has already taught them some new dances. "I feel very strongly about the message we are presenting," Scarzone said.

Scarzone's dancing talent didn't go unnoticed by the troupe's young audience. Eighth-grade student Kaitlyn Caballarp, 14, said she was very impressed and amazed by how the troupe acted and performed.

"The dancing was amazing and the singing sounded so professional. I have never seen a show so good. The hip hop dancing was great. I can honestly say that was the best show I've ever seen," Caballarp said. "I would definitely join that group if I had the chance," she said.

Pretending to be disgusted by how she looks in a mirror, Oechsel told the students, "We should never be ashamed of who we are or what we look like. Be proud of who you are on the inside and out." She also encouraged the students to talk to someone if they had an eating disorder.

Students gasped as they heard and saw an abusive relationship between a guy and his girlfriend played out in the audience. After the song "If I Were a Boy" was sung, Matt Michels, who portrayed the abusive boyfriend, said "The boy you saw wasn't the real me. I would never treat a girl that way."

Michels said violence isn't the answer. "Care for the one you love and don't hurt them," he said.

Two of the more emotional songs MWAH! performers shared with the audience were "Alyssa Lies" that is based on a young girl suffering abuse and "There Ain't No Mountain High Enough" when it comes to friendship.

At the conclusion of their performance troupe members stepped forward and clearly and forcefully said a different word. "Racism! Abuse! Eating Disorders! Violence! Hate! Bullying! Death!"

"These words are some of the issues we face in our world today. But tomorrow is a blank page for each one of us here right now and each of us gets to choose the words that are written," Oechsel said. "It's never too late to make a difference...whether in your life...or someone else's. Yesterday is over. Today is where our story begins. The rest is still unwritten."