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Messages Which Are Hopeful..... MWAH!

Messages which are hopeful...healthy...and hard to forget. Messages of energy...emotion...and creative thought. Messages from young people on a mission. A mission to stimulate others to think and to react in ways which are positive. A mission to influence others through the performing arts - dance...theatre...song...and mime - as well as through discussion and by example.

   TEEN HELP HERE !

Recent articles and videos about MWAH!

WCIA-TV (CBS – Channel 3) performance at Blue Ridge Junior High School in Champaign-Urbana Here
WICD-TV (ABC – Channel 15) performance at Blue Ridge Junior High School in Champaign-Urbana Here
The Pantagraph of Bloomington–Normal Here
LeRoy–Farmer City Press– in Champaign-Urbana Here

• WEEK-TV (NBC – Channel 25 in Peoria)
  video – Here – (Then click on video line #50)


• WEEK-TV (NBC – Channel 25 in Peoria)
  video – Here – (Then click on video line #49)


• WMBD-TV (CBS – Channel 31 in Peoria and Bloomington) 5pm news
  video – Here – (Then click on video line#51)


• WMBD-TV (CBS – Channel 31 in Peoria and Bloomington) 6pm news
  video – Here – (Then click on video line #52)

• A story published in WEEK-TV (NBC) of Peoria, Illinois may be viewed Here
• Stark County students cope with MWAH! help – Peoria Journal Star of March 13, 2012 – Here
• MWAH! assembly hits close to home at Stark County High School – Star Courier of Kewanee, Illinois may be viewed Here


• The Stark County News in Toulon, Illinois – March 22, 2012, may be viewed Here

From throughout the Chicago area as well as other parts of Illinois, the youthful performing artists - because of their diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds - convey a message of hope and promise for the future. Their repertoire reflects the changing times in which we all live. Among the issues are finding healthy alternatives to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; resolving abusive relationship problems associated with bullying, jealousies, and control; eliminating discrimination stemming from differences among people; and developing coping skills when confronted with negative peer influences and low self-esteem.

A focal point for MWAH! is the importance of choices. An overall objective is to inspire young people to face life's challenges and opportunities with knowledge, confidence, and a positive self-image.

The troupe repertoire includes peer helper training and a workshop format in addition to a performance/presentation customized for:

• schools
• conferences
• special events

MWAH! executive producer is Ray Moffitt. The troupe has been incorporated in Illinois as KDC/MWAH! Inc. (Kids Do Count/Messages Which Are Hopeful!), a not-for-profit, 501c3 registered charitable organization, and is an affiliate of the Chicago Area Project (CAP), which is part of a statewide community services network targeting at-risk youth and their families.

Shown in this MWAH! group photo from the Benet Academy performance on March 19, 2012 are (front, left to right): Ashley Stonehouse, Rachel Plasch, and Justice Henderson.
Second row: Sarah Saltiel, Shawn Conerton, Rob Delgado, Mason Ridenour, Christian Honn, and Christopher Oechsel.
Third row: Alex Oechsel, Kyle Welton, Jake Smith, Wynd Ridenour, Taylor Oechsel, and Erin Oechsel.

(photo by Scott R. Harrington)

The MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe appeared at Benet Academy in Lisle, Illinois on March 19, 2012, as part of the school's 125th anniversary of its founding. Participating as part of the troupe for this special performance were Erin, Christopher, Alex, and Taylor Oechsel from Naperville. Erin, completing her senior year in music-theater at Ball State University, is a graduate of Benet, and her brother and a sister currently attend Benet – Christopher a graduating senior and Alex a sophomore. A younger sister, Taylor, attends Washington Junior High School in Naperville.

The finale of the 90-minute issues-oriented presentation was an energized dance mix that included about 25 additional Benet students who had rehearsed with the troupe.
(photos by Scott R. Harrington)


Previously posted home page photos may be seen at MWAH! Home Page Photo History.