Peoria Journal Star

October 26, 2009

MWAH! shares animated message

Performing arts troupe shares important lessons in a lively way with Von Steuben students

By Ruth Longoria Kingsland (rlongoria@pjstar.com) of the Journal Star

PEORIA -- It started with a staged fight. Youths brawling over racially charged comments, anger and ignorance. It ended with a stage filled with exuberant dancers sharing a message of hope, purpose and diversity.

Through music, dance, message and drama, the Chicago-based performing arts troupe Messages Which Are Hopeful! performed at an assembly Monday at Von Steuben Middle School in Peoria.

"I know some kids are going to think they don't care about stuff like this, but it's still there, in the back of their heads and they'll think about it when they come up against something like this," said Chris Oechsel, 15, a member of MWAH! and a sophomore at Benet Academy in Lisle.

Oechsel referred to the messages in a 75-minute assembly program sponsored by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Peoria.

This was the second year the organization sponsored MWAH! performances at the middle school.

"MWAH! was great last year, and we had the opportunity, through a grant, to have them back again this year, so of course we took advantage of it," said Julie Huls, Boys and Girls Clubs' program director.

Oechsel and two of his siblings are part of the MWAH! eight-member ensemble that produces a program for schools aimed at teaching life lessons about bullying, abusive relationships, eating disorders and other issues faced by youths.

"Today we talked about racism and cyber bullying, anger and hate. But we still get to write tomorrow: justice, peace and hope. Yesterday is over. Today is where your story begins, the rest is still unwritten," said Alex Oechsel, 14, Chris Oechsel's sister and a student at Naperville's Washington Junior High School.

"One of the really awesome things about these performances is that we can get the message out and kids our age will listen to us," Alex Oechsel said after the performance. "That's something they might not do if adults were telling them the same thing."

Alex, Chris, and younger sister Taylor, 9, wowed the crowd with several song and dance numbers, sharing their skills in everything from tap to hip-hop dance and jazz to rock ballads.

The youths engaged audience members throughout the assembly, and some Von Steuben students also participated as actors in the performance.

The MWAH! cast sang along with an Enrique Iglesias song, "Hero," directed at four Von Steuben students honored by students and staff at the school as everyday heroes. The honorees: Kayla Butler, Jesus Corarubias, Aisha Tuson and R. Jay Pilgrim, alternately blushed and beamed as the performers sang to and danced with them.

The four Von Steuben students were selected for the honor based on their various characteristics, such as leadership, trustworthiness, positive attitude and concern for others.

Wiley O'Neal, 71, and Kristy O'Neal, 30, attended the assembly to watch Wiley's grandson and Kristy's son, Kioentre O'Neal, 12, perform in the show.

Kioentre helped stage one of the fight scenes and also performed in an ensemble piece on the importance of individuality and celebrating diversity.

The elder O'Neal said he was impressed not only with his grandson's acting but also with the importance of the messages being relayed to the audience.

"That's the same message we were trying to relay when I was a student, although that was many years ago," Wiley O'Neal said. "It sends a strong message. Yes, I'm very impressed."

Ruth Longoria Kingsland can be reached at 686-3196 or rlongoria@pjstar.com.