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April has come and gone with The Magic of Life impacting over 1,000 audience members from the following: Jackson High School, Wellston High School, Covington High School, Alleghany High School and Stow Municipal Court. Jackson and Wellston are in southern Ohio close to Athens while Covington and Alleghany are on the western part of Virginia nestled in the mountains about 15 miles from the West Virginia border off of route 64. It’s always a bit intimidating to walk into a school because you cannot fake it with the students and you definitely cannot fake it at the courthouse.
As I tell the audience in the courthouse, I’m there to talk to them from the heart, soul and hopefully funny bone and to inspire them to make a change in their lives. The reason I love starting off with some stand-up comedy is because I want audiences to know it won’t be the same type of program. I feel that the humor allows me to bond with them, especially the students so when I do bare my soul on that stage, they know that what I tell them is real and sincere.
To start off the month, Jackson and Wellston schools were together and it was very cool to see student leaders put on beer goggles and try to play basketball, showing how being impaired affects their motor skills. It was a great intro into The Magic of Life actually. I’m still in awe that Jackson High School has their own gourmet coffee “bar” in their cafeteria. Of course I wasn’t sticking around for their “veal on a bun” lunch. I can’t believe they serve some of this stuff to growing kids! I also loved talking to students afterwards, hearing their plans after high school with some of them going to Kent State and one hoping to make it to West Point.
This time for the DUI offenders, we did a quick survey so we can hopefully get enough stats to apply for future grants to help fund The Magic of Life foundation. The program is a little bit different for this audience, but watching them change before my eyes is amazing. Before I start, they all look mad because they have to be there, but then again, they made a decision to put them there. But throughout the time together, I see them change, I really do. I can see their heads nodding in agreement, they are inspired to walk out as a different person. I want them to leave that courtroom with a better understanding of how precious their lives are and how their decisions impact so many. I am always blown away when they share their comments either as a group or in the survey.
I was joined once again by a fellow board member, Christine Moncheck whose son, Andrew, was killed by a drunk driver a couple of years ago. I’m beyond thrilled that she has found the courage to share her story because it comes from a Mother’s perspective and whether it’s a student or a DUI offender, it impacts a person. I look forward to her speaking more and more because from my point of view, it’s amazing to see her stand up and make a difference.
This week, I had the honor of presenting at Covington and Alleghany, schools that are about 15 minutes apart in Covington, VA. When I arrived at Covington, it was the Monday after their prom, but the prom court was all dressed up in their auditorium as they announced Mr. and Mrs. Covington, with parents holding up their cell phones. Starting at 10:30 and trying to make students laugh is always tough and the comedian in me is always happy when they laugh because then I know I can take them on the journey with me. I had to edit the program from 60 minutes to 50, to about 45, but I thought it was rather flawless and judging by how many students started to follow me on Twitter, they really enjoyed it and heard the message. Ask any entertainer or speaker who has put their heart and soul into their program what to edit out and it’s a nightmare because we love every second of the program.
After a short lunch break, I made my way to Alleghany High School which sat in front of a mountain and with the foggy day, it seemed like a Stephen King movie, but pretty cool. The Mountaineers prom is this weekend so it was great to share the message before their big event. I could tell they were restless since it was at the end of their school day, but they were another amazing, gracious audience of young people. As I got to my car, I already had messages from students sharing their stories with me and it showed how much we connected. Hearing from students who find the courage to share their story with me is priceless and humbles me every time. Because to them, I was a stranger before I start, but by the time I am done, a close friend and I love that. At each rest stop on the drive home, I kept on seeing more and more twitter/facebook followers and that made me smile.
These two schools were sponsored by the community services board of Alleghany County and it was wonderful to see that support. It shows that they truly care about the lives of their teens and I was honored to come into their homes to share The Magic of Life. With the new wristbands, it makes me feel great that audience members take the pledge not to drink and drive when they take one. They accept that responsibility not to drink and drive and to make sure their friends don’t either.
Well, this was my first “real” blog, so I hope you enjoyed it and didn’t fall asleep! I will try to write one per month, so stay tuned.
Thanks for reading and thanks for supporting The Magic of Life!
Michael
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