DWIGHT - A special tribute to a 17-year-old who lives on a farm outside the hamlet of Cabery, near Dwight, who since May 2007 has been battling a brain tumor she calls ‘Gary’ a plea from a man who lost his family to a drunk driver on Highway 47 between Dwight and Morris 15 months ago; a warning from a local law enforcement official to anyone using social networking sites to intimidate or harm others; and an update from a member of the Illinois State Legislature on new driving laws in Illinois.
These are among the issues to be addressed at Dwight Township High School this Monday, February 8, in a performance featuring the MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe, an issues-oriented teenage ensemble from Chicago‘s western suburbs as well as from Rockford and Sterling. The presentation, for both high school and junior high school students, begins at 1:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the school, located at 801 South Franklin Street in Dwight.
To be recognized for her unrelenting courage in her fight against cancer and her will to carry on with her daily classes and other school activities will be Taylor Gettinger, a Dwight Township High School senior, whose mom, Kathleen Gettinger, will appear with her. Two years and nine months ago Taylor began receiving treatment at Children‘s Memorial Hospital in Chicago for what her mom describes now as a grade 3 astrocytoma brain tumor. Taylor simply calls the tumor ‘Gary’, a foe she‘s determined to outlast.
Four students from Dwight Junior High School also will be recognized for their special leadership qualities and their efforts in dealing with their own personal challenges.
Also appearing with the MWAH! troupe will be Josh Jahn, a Dwight volunteer fireman who about four months ago erected a sign near the intersection of Highway 47 and Gardner Road, marking the site where on November 6, 2008, his wife, Amanda, and their two children, three-year-old Ryan and 11-month-old Kaitlyn, were killed when a drunk driver blew a stop sign, striking their car.
Joining the troupe to discuss new legislation impacting Illinois drivers will be State Representative Shane Cultra (R-Onarga) of the 105th Representative District, which includes Dwight and communities to the south and east of Dwight. His messages to the Dwight students will relate to current DUI legislation and changes effective January 1 of this year regarding cell phone use, including the new statewide ban on texting while driving. Representative Cultra was unopposed in the Illinois primary election on February 2.
Following references by the troupe to teenage bullying, including circumstances leading to the Virginia Tech University massacre and to a teen suicide in the St. Louis area because of a MySpace hoax, a Livingston County law enforcement official will provide some options in dealing with cyber-bullying issues.
Among other issues to be addressed by the MWAH! troupe (an acronym for Messages Which Are Hopeful!) are abusive boyfriend-girlfriend relationships, child abuse, and today‘s challenges related to various aspects of diversity.
About a dozen Dwight Junior High students will join MWAH! in a hip hop dance finale, having rehearsed with the troupe Monday morning.
Throughout its one hour and forty five minute presentation the 11-member ensemble will combine real life drama with contemporary music along with audience interaction. A constant focus will be what‘s happening with today‘s youth and their families, particularly in the Dwight area. A common thread will be choices and the importance of making the right ones.
Coordinating the troupe‘s Dwight appearance have been Mark Pagel, principal for the junior high students, and Bob Richardson, high school principal. Mark Pagel may be reached at his school at 815-584-6221 or 815-584-6233.
Further information on the MWAH! troupe is available on its website at www.mwah.net The troupe may be reached by phone at 630-993-0003.
The not-for-profit ensemble is affiliated with Kids Do Count, Inc. and the Chicago Area Project, a grass-roots service and advocacy agency based in downtown Chicago and part of a statewide community services network targeting at-risk youth and their families.
Besides Rockford and Sterling, current MWAH! troupe members live in Aurora, Naperville, Plainfield, Willowbrook, Bartlett, Sandwich, and Cherry Valley.