Pontiac Daily Leader

March 11, 2009

Performance aimed at delivering message

Cynthia Adkins/Pontiac Daily Leader

Pontiac, Ill. -

The MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe (Messages Which Are Hopeful!) gave its messages to teens at Pontiac Junior High School Saturday. The production -- which included messages regarding racial diversity, racial bigotry, verbal and physical abuse, alcohol, drug abuse, teen relationships and about making the right choices to overcome peer pressure -- was part of the Operation Snowflake leadership conference.

As the program started, a female member of MWAH! was talking to a Snowflake participant, a guy. The girl was seated next to him in the gym, explaining her situation.

She told the boy that another troupe member, Matt Michaels, was her boyfriend. She explained that she no longer liked him and wanted to leave him because he is the jealous type. He did not leave her alone and did not let her out of her sight.

In the meantime, Jack Bristow, former police officer and teacher from the Livingston County Career Center, began to introduce Yusuf Taraki.

"As one of the coordinators of Livingston County Snowflake, this afternoon I would like to introduce a special visitor. His name is Yusuf Taraki, and his home is in the city of Kabul, in Afghanistan," Bristow said. "Yusuf is taking some classes at Illinois State University as a member of Muslim Students Association Exchange Program, and he is visiting some schools here in Livingston County this week. Please, let’s give a warm Pontiac Junior High welcome to our Afghanistan Muslim visitor, Yusuf Taraki."

Taraki took the microphone and began speaking.

"Thank you. I hope I am pronouncing your name correctly as my English is not so good," said Taraki. "I am glad to have the opportunity to be here today. Many of you may not know where my home is."

In the background a young, blonde boy becomes agitated and yelled, "It’s where you ought to go back to."

"I beg your pardon?" Taraki asked.

Michael Todd Emery, a member of MWAH! ran over to the boy and grabbed him. He ushered him out of the gym in a forceful manner while the kid is screaming at the audience and struggling.

"That guy shouldn’t even be here. He’s probably a terrorist. He hates us and I hate him! Muslims killed Americans on 9/11. He’s a Muslim! We should kill him!" yelled the boy.

Emery re-entered and apologized to the crowd and to Taraki.

"The guy, Nathan, does not speak for me and I hope for no one else in the troupe or for anybody attending this Livingston County Snowflake in Pontiac.

"Personally, I believe, and I hope every one of you believes, that hatred and bigotry has no place here at PJHS or anywhere else in Livingston County or our state or anywhere in our country or in 2009," Emery said. "Any hatred because of race, religion or sexual orientation or for any other differences must no longer be tolerated by anyone.

"Perhaps we should listen to someone as he spoke at the Lincoln memorial in Washington, D.C. 46 years ago. What he said then was important and obviously is still now," said Todd.

In the background, an audio clip from Dr. Martin Luther King speaking at the March on Washington can be heard. As the clip continued, the youngest member of MWAH! ushered out the boy maneuvering him toward Taraki. She persuaded him to shake his hand and Taraki does so reluctantly, but with a surprise ends in a hug between the two.

It was then revealed that Taraki is really Solaiman Rashid. He is actually a troupe member. Rashid is an American and his family is originally from Palestine.

As the program continued, Michael, the jealous boyfriend, got in an argument with the girl who was speaking with an audience member and struck her. Bristow broke up the altercation.

Later, Michaels came clean and said the play-acting did not reflect how he treats girls. "Violence is never an answer."

There were many acts that followed that allowed for audience participation, including singing and dancing.

The program touched on issues that affect teenagers today. One issue is dealing with the loss of loved ones.

Josh Jahn, a resident of Dwight, related such a situation that happened to him. Jahn’s family was lost in an alcohol-related accident.

Another person who related a tragic situation was Holly Pitney. She spoke about her cousin’s illness. He has a brain tumor.

According to Pitney, her family’s recent trip to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis and the hope it has given her family.

Pitney then spoke of an audience member who is experiencing her own personal challenges with Stage 4 cancer.

MWAH! was formed by Ray Moffitt and began in 1983.

"The troupe is run by the kids. The show is a mixture of country, pop, bluegrass, dance and performance. The members ages range from 9-18," said Moffitt.

Emery is the co-director for MWAH! He has been performing with the troupe for four years now.

"Writing stories for performances, singing, and performing has gotten a lot easier now," said Emery. "My main goal from our performances is to make sure kids understand that the decisions they make will affect them for a lifetime. It is our point to make the kids understand how important it is to make the right choices.

According to Emery, MWAH! is affiliated with the Chicago Area Project and we are affiliated with Kids Do Count, Inc. The program is a not-for-profit charitable organization. MWAH! can be found On the Net at: http://www.mwah.net/ The members are from Aurora, Naperville, Plainfield, Downers Grove, Romeoville, Elmhurst, Cherry Valley and Rockford.

After MWAH!’s presentation, students retreated to class homerooms to discuss the messages and the impact MWAH! has made.

"I think they were awesome!" said Jordyn Comincioli. "Their message is sad but is very realistic."

"I agree with Jordyn," said Nick Smith. "It was the best concert I’ve been too. It will help kids out a lot. I would go see them again."

In a serious moment during the MWAH! performance in Pontiac, troupe member Christian ('Ian') Rodriguez receives comments from a Snowflake conference participant about someone she considers a personal hero.
(photo by Cynthia Adkins of The Daily Leader)

Performing in front of the Livingston County Operation Snowflake audience of junior high and high school students at Pontiac Junior High School are MWAH! troupe members (from left) Holly Pitney, Michael Todd Emery, and Nathan Pealstrom. Behind them are nine-year-old Taylor Oechsel, the youngest troupe member, and Christian Honn on drums.
(photo by Cynthia Adkins of The Daily Leader)