Galena Gazette of Galena, Illinois

May 10, 2010

Encouraging Positive Choices

Elizabeth police chief shares his personal tragedy -- his teenage daughter's fatal accident -- with hundreds of students in the area.

By Heather Haas
The Galena Gazette at www.galenagazette.com

GALENA, Ill. -- MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe visited Galena Middle School on Monday, May 10.

The 12-member MWAH! ensemble, Messages Which Are Hopeful, focused their presentation on some of the challenges and choices youth are faced with and the importance of making the right choices.

In their two 90-minute performances, they focused on real-life issues and demonstrated first-hand situations that students may be faced with and demonstrated how to handle certain situations. In attendance were seventh and eighth grade students from schools in the Jo Daviess County communities of Warren, Stockton, East Dubuque, Hanover, Scales Mound and Galena.

The event was sponsored by the Juvenile Justice Council of Jo Daviess County along with the six schools that participated.

Joining the ensemble were discussions on current Illinois driving laws from Chief Bryan Bohnsack of the Warren Police Department, Chief Jerry Westemeier of the Galena Police Department, and Chief Scott Toot of the Elizabeth Police Department.

One focus of the ensemble was the death of 17-year-old Chelsea Toot, who died in a texting while driving car accident last summer when the car she was driving crossed the center line and struck an oncoming car.

Alexandra 'Lexi' Parr, a freshman at River Ridge High School, dedicated a song in memory of Chelsea, a family friend.

Chelsea's father, Elizabeth Police Chief Scott Toot also spoke to the group about Chelsea and what he and his family has gone through since she has died.

Throughout Toot's emotional speech he spoke about the importance of being responsible in respects to not drinking and not texting while driving. His presentation ended with a standing ovation from the audience.

The performance incorporated not only positive lessons and demonstrations that the students could relate to, but also meaningful songs and skits that involved the large audience of students and staff.

The group works to encourage others to face life with confidence and a positive self-image. The group of young individuals spoke on issues facing today's young people.

Through the use of skits, songs and discussions they spoke about eliminating discrimination because of differences and how to deal with abusive relationship problems whether they be due to jealousy, control or bullying.

The MWAH! ensemble spoke about respecting the differences of others. Through the use of song and actions, they demonstrated skills that can help someone if they are faced with negative peer influences.

They encouraged the students to be aware and to "do something" if they come across a situation they know is not right. "Be that person's angel," they said. With audience involvement, at one point the ensemble wanted to honor a select few "heros" that were among the crowd. A number of students and staff were recognized for their leadership involvement that has stood out to others. The MWAH! members stood next to their "hero" and dedicated the song to them in recognition. The performance concluded with a dance by the MWAH! members, a group of middle school students and adult staff from the Juvenile Justice Council.

The troupe's director is Ray Moffitt. For more information on the MWAH! troupe visit mwah website
or call them at 630-993-0003.

Eighth grade Galena Middle School student Michelle Ludwig helped the group out when she was chosen to participate in one of the songs. MWAH! troupe members Christian Honn and Mason Ridenour took turns serenading Ludwig.
(photos by Heather Haas.)

Chelsea Toot, a focus of the MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe, died in a texting-while-driving car accident last summer. Her father, Chief Scott Toot of the Elizabeth Police Department, spoke at the event.

Chief Bryan Bohnsack of the Warren Police Department spoke to the audience about bullying. With the many topics that were covered, the students had the opportunity to see them acted out by the MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe and saw how they should handle a situation if they face something similar in the future.

MWAH! members Shealeigh Voitl and Alex Oechsel sing to their ‘heros’ Jake Spangler and Tyler Conzette. Spangler and Conzette were recognized with a few other students and teachers for their leadership qualities.

Lexi Parr, a freshman at River Ridge High School, dedicated a song to a family friend, Chelsea Toot.

The MWAH! website video page (showcase->video) features Lexi singing the song ’Hurt’ on May 10, 2010 at Galena Middle School in Galena, Illinois, for an event involving six middle schools that was sponsored by the Jo Daviess County Juvenile Justice Council. The song was in memory of Lexi’s friend, Chelsea Toot, who died in a texting-while-driving crash last summer. You can get there from the Video page (see #35)

The performance concluded with a high energy hip hop dance performed by the MWAH! troupe members along with a group of Galena Middle School students and adult staff from the Juvenile Justice Council.

Galena Gazette of Galena, Illinois May 10, 2010

	Encouraging Positive Choices Elizabeth police chief shares his personal tragedy -- his teenage daughter's fatal accident -- with hundreds of students in the area. By Heather Haas The Galena Gazette at www.galenagazette.com GALENA, Ill. -- MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe visited Galena Middle School on Monday, May 10. The 12-member MWAH! ensemble, Messages Which Are Hopeful, focused their presentation on some of the challenges and choices youth are faced with and the importance of making the right choices. In their two 90-minute performances, they focused on real-life issues and demonstrated first-hand situations that students may be faced with and demonstrated how to handle certain situations. In attendance were seventh and eighth grade students from schools in the Jo Daviess County communities of Warren, Stockton, East Dubuque, Hanover, Scales Mound and Galena. The event was sponsored by the Juvenile Justice Council of Jo Daviess County along with the six schools that participated. Joining the ensemble were discussions on current Illinois driving laws from Chief Bryan Bohnsack of the Warren Police Department, Chief Jerry Westemeier of the Galena Police Department, and Chief Scott Toot of the Elizabeth Police Department. One focus of the ensemble was the death of 17-year-old Chelsea Toot, who died in a texting while driving car accident last summer when the car she was driving crossed the center line and struck an oncoming car. Alexandra 'Lexi' Parr, a freshman at River Ridge High School, dedicated a song in memory of Chelsea, a family friend. Chelsea's father, Elizabeth Police Chief Scott Toot also spoke to the group about Chelsea and what he and his family has gone through since she has died. Throughout Toot's emotional speech he spoke about the importance of being responsible in respects to not drinking and not texting while driving. His presentation ended with a standing ovation from the audience. The performance incorporated not only positive lessons and demonstrations that the students could relate to, but also meaningful songs and skits that involved the large audience of students and staff. The group works to encourage others to face life with confidence and a positive self-image. The group of young individuals spoke on issues facing today's young people. Through the use of skits, songs and discussions they spoke about eliminating discrimination because of differences and how to deal with abusive relationship problems whether they be due to jealousy, control or bullying. The MWAH! ensemble spoke about respecting the differences of others. Through the use of song and actions, they demonstrated skills that can help someone if they are faced with negative peer influences. They encouraged the students to be aware and to "do something" if they come across a situation they know is not right. "Be that person's angel," they said. With audience involvement, at one point the ensemble wanted to honor a select few "heros" that were among the crowd. A number of students and staff were recognized for their leadership involvement that has stood out to others. The MWAH! members stood next to their "hero" and dedicated the song to them in recognition. The performance concluded with a dance by the MWAH! members, a group of middle school students and adult staff from the Juvenile Justice Council. The troupe's director is Ray Moffitt. For more information on the MWAH! troupe visit mwah website or call them at 630-993-0003.	Eighth grade Galena Middle School student Michelle Ludwig helped the group out when she was chosen to participate in one of the songs. MWAH! troupe members Christian Honn and Mason Ridenour took turns serenading Ludwig. (photos by Heather Haas.) Chelsea Toot, a focus of the MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe, died in a texting-while-driving car accident last summer. Her father, Chief Scott Toot of the Elizabeth Police Department, spoke at the event. Chief Bryan Bohnsack of the Warren Police Department spoke to the audience about bullying. With the many topics that were covered, the students had the opportunity to see them acted out by the MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe and saw how they should handle a situation if they face something similar in the future. MWAH! members Shealeigh Voitl and Alex Oechsel sing to their ‘heros’ Jake Spangler and Tyler Conzette. Spangler and Conzette were recognized with a few other students and teachers for their leadership qualities. Lexi Parr, a freshman at River Ridge High School, dedicated a song to a family friend, Chelsea Toot. The MWAH! website video page (showcase->video) features Lexi singing the song ’Hurt’ on May 10, 2010 at Galena Middle School in Galena, Illinois, for an event involving six middle schools that was sponsored by the Jo Daviess County Juvenile Justice Council. The song was in memory of Lexi’s friend, Chelsea Toot, who died in a texting-while-driving crash last summer. You can get there from the Video page (see #35) The performance concluded with a high energy hip hop dance performed by the MWAH! troupe members along with a group of Galena Middle School students and adult staff from the Juvenile Justice Council.