The Journal–Standard of Freeport, Illinois
May 15, 2010
Elizabeth Police Chief, MWAH! Send Students a Message
Elizabeth police chief shares his personal tragedy -- his teenage daughter's fatal accident -- with hundreds of students in the area.
By The Journal–Standard staff writers
The Journal–Standard at www.journalstandard.com
GALENA, Ill. -- Highlighted by a performance by the MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe, a Chicago troupe that brings a positive message, hundreds of Jo Daviess County middle school students from Warren, East Dubuque, Scales Mound, Galena and River Ridge schools listened to a heartbreaking story told by Elizabeth's police chief, Scott Toot.
The event was held Monday, May 10, at the Galena Middle School.
"I have a hard time controlling my emotions when it comes to my daughter," Toot told the 300-plus middle school students. Behind him stood an enlarged photo of his teenage daughter.
"Chelsea loved life. That's the only way I can describe her. The car accident last summer changed my whole world," he said.
Toot's presentation was part of an assembly that featured "MWAH!" which stands for Messages Which Are Hopeful! The traveling performance group is comprised of 12 Illinois teenagers who use song, dance and acting to teach students about various social topics, including cyber bullying, racism, suicide, respect and school shootings.
Chelsea Toot had just turned 17 when the tragedy occurred. On Monday, July 27, 2009, she was involved in a fatal car accident.
"Earlier that afternoon, I saw her trying to parallel park. I pulled up alongside her and she smiled and waved. I waved back at her, and that's the last time I saw her alive," Toot said.
The police chief was told by a fellow officer that there had been an accident outside of Savanna, and that Chelsea had died.
Toot said there was no denying that Chelsea had been texting at the time of the accident, and that it had been a factor in the fatal crash.
"Life can change in an instant," Toot said.
The police chief received a standing ovation when he ended his presentation, urging the middle school students to stay off the cell phone when they get behind the wheel.
"When you start driving, please be careful," Toot said. "Stay off the cell phone, period."
Toot's emotional plea was followed by more than an hour of presentations by MWAH! and police officials asking students to make the right decisions in the future.
With skits, music and dancing, the group of Chicago-area teenagers talked to students bringing a variety of messages on bullying, physical abuse, violence and texting while driving.
The performers recounted true tragedies and interspersed them with both contemporary hits and their own songs.
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