Otto W. Meyers Fieldhouse Entrance and Foyer Receives Makeover

> The renovation projects from the Illinois and California-Nevada Moose Associations for the window, door and floor renovations of the Otto W. Meyers Foyer in Fieldhouse were formally dedicated prior to graduation Saturday, May 27.

Plaques recognizing funders of the project were placed on the wall of the Foyer (the concourse connecting the Fieldhouse with Mooseheart’s football stadium).

Director General William B. Airey, Chief Operating Officer Len Solfa, Otto Meyers’ son Thomas, grandson Gregory and Mooseheart Executive Director Scott Hart were all on hand to help dedicate the renovations.

‘If it Weren’t for You, Moments Like These Would Not be Possible’

4,000 Jam Fieldhouse for 2006 Commencement Ceremony

> The 22 members of the Mooseheart High School Class of 2006 saw, through a standing-room only crowd, the love and support of men and women of the Moose from across North America and Great Britain in the packed Fieldhouse at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 27 as they gathered to watch the students receive their high school diplomas and officially leave their home, Mooseheart, to enter into the adult world.

Salutatorian Mary Muns (left) and Valedictorian Cecilia Tobias approached the Fieldhouse stage arm-in-arm during the procession of the Mooseheart Class of 2006.

Supreme Governor Ronald Sweetman’s address to the graduates reminded them how special they are because 4,000 men and women from three nations thought it important enough to come be here with them for this occasion. And, he added, Superintendent Gary Urwiler communicates how special it is to be a graduate of Mooseheart (Class of 1987) every day simply by his actions.

“Gary Urwiler is truly a highly successful young man, not because of his position or income, but because he is doing what he wants to do and is enjoying it,” Sweetman said. “Graduates, that is the definition of achieving success; putting yourself in a situation, by getting yourself the education and credentials necessary, where you can do what you want to do.”

Sweetman eloquently related how the graduates need to take advantage of the opportunities they have right now. He recalled that he had the opportunity to go to college, but decided as a “grown up” 18-year-old that he had enough money in his pocket. By the time he had a chance to go back to school, he had a young family to support and his benefits from the GI bill had run out.

“You graduates are at that moment of greatest opportunity, right now--with scholarships available--and without the responsibilities of parenthood yet,” Sweetman said. “Don’t do as I did--please do as I say. Seize that opportunity now; don’t wait-- and take charge of your life!

Also speaking were Salutatorian Mary Muns and Valedictorian Cecilia Tobias. Muns said her life would have been very different, had it not been for the Moose.

“On behalf of my classmates, we want to say thank you to the Moose members and our families (both Mooseheart and away) for supporting us and making this day possible,” Muns said. “We are proud to have grown up under your wings.”

Tobias thanked all the men and women of the Moose and on-campus staff who helped shape their lives--and offered them opportunities they would not have received otherwise, such as the chance to meet celebrities such as former NBA player Manute Bol and ’80s singing star Cyndi Lauper--both of whom visited campus. “If it weren’t for you, moments like these would not be possible,” Tobias said. She also recalled how the class grew to love each other through living life together the last four or more years.

“To my beloved classmates: please realize that we walked into those Fieldhouse doors as Mooseheart students; we have seen many classes before us leave those same doors as Mooseheart alumni,” Tobias concluded. “Today is our turn--ready or not, here we come.”

Hats Off to the Class of 2006!

Ecstatic graduates took advantage of the opportunity to toss their mortarboards into the air at the close of the ceremony.

Brandon Bouck proudly received his diploma from 1984 Mooseheart graduate Mark Penzkover (now serving on the Mooseheart Board of Directors).

Courage, Honor and Commitment

Hart explains how the NJROTC program reinforces these core Mooseheart values; two current students prove his point

Mooseheart Child City & School Executive Director
Scott D. Hart

> As Mooseheart Executive Director Scott Hart watched the NJROTC Change of Command Ceremony this May, he said, he reflected how both Mooseheart and NJROTC strive to teach students to become better citizens, and that three basic values of NJROTC: courage, honor and commitment are seen on a daily basis at the Child City.

First, courage--Scott said it takes a lot of courage for an individual to say they need help, whether it be from an adult raising a child or grandchild, or from a teenager needing help to reach their full potential.

Hart shared a letter from a young lady who lived with her grandmother, after being rejected by her birth mother from the time she was born. The girl had read the article about Mooseheart in People magazine, and explained how she has changed schools seven times and wants to start a new life by becoming a part of the Mooseheart family.

“I am happy to report to you today Becky is doing well and taking full advantage of her second childhood because of you,” Hart reported.

Hart then described how he was recently called to the Admissions office, where a young child was crying uncontrollably. After meeting with the counselors in the hall, Scott learned that after the paperwork was completed and discussions about life at Mooseheart had begun, the group took a short break. During this time the child’s guardian had left--without any notice or saying goodbye.

“What courage it took that child to eventually pick their head up off the table, wipe off the tears and begin life anew at Mooseheart, Scott said. He noted how he appreciates the courage of Director General William B. Airey and Chief Operating Officer Len Solfa to step into roles that most would shy away from . . . to take head on the challenges involved in stabilizing and leading our fraternity.

Honor--It should be no surprise, Hart said, to hear that some of the children arriving at Mooseheart struggle to overcome negative habits from the past; habits of lying or using foul language, poor manners and fighting. “To change behavior, there has to be something put in its place or those bad habits will quickly take root again,” Hart said. “Mooseheart and NJROTC seek to build upon a firm foundation of honor. We want to hold our kids and ourselves to a higher standard through the Mooseheart Model of Care . . . We want our students to be faithful citizens of Mooseheart, and to honor you, its loyal supporters by their social behavior, academic achievement and spiritual growth.”

“Commitment--When children arrive at Mooseheart we expect a level of commitment to our program and community to already be there. Sometimes we find that children have yet to be taught the basic skills of following instructions or accepting decisions of authority,” Hart said. “We believe children want to learn, want to have boundaries set, and desire for someone to care enough to say no”. Mooseheart staff is committed to teaching our children to show respect toward all people, to be a positive role model and commit to a life of high moral character, he said.

Hart added that Moose members are committed to their fraternity-- and to the changes that must take place. “You are committed to strengthening the fraternity, being a beacon of hope in your community, providing an incredible home and school for children and security and comfort for our seniors,” he said.

Hart then brought to the lectern two high school students who would not have benefited from Mooseheart and NJROTC, had it not been for the commitment of the men and women of the Moose.

Krystal Ellsworth, who came to Mooseheart from Medina Valley, TX Lodge 2196 at age 11 in August 2002, was first:

“I was born to a single mother and went to live with my grandparents when I was 11 months old . . . I wasn’t the best-behaved kid in school. I came to Mooseheart because my grandma thought it would be good for me and my grandpa was having a hard time . He was later diagnosed with brain cancer and passed away last year . . . I want to say thank you to the member that invited my grandfather to join the Loyal Order of Moose, his invitation impacted far more than just my grandfather . . . I have played on the basketball and volleyball teams, I am the 4-H President, I also play the flute in band . . . Mooseheart has given me the opportunity to play sports, participate in 4-H, Band and NJROTC; In other words, Mooseheart has given me the chance to reach my full potential. Let me tell you why I enjoy being involved in the Mooseheart NJROTC program. NJROTC has been an opportunity for me to learn more about the military and has helped me be a better person . . . I have become more independent and have grown to be a better leader . . . There are always obstacles in life and Mooseheart has taught me how to overcome them . . . My future goal is to one day become a veterinarian. I hope to receive a five-year Moose scholarship when I graduate and attend Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine.

“My grandfather was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose -- little did I know at the time that his membership in this fraternity was going to forever change my life. In the fall of 1995 my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer and he knew that keeping up with three young children would be impossible while he battled cancer. It was a cold day over Christmas break in 1995 that I got my first view of Mooseheart. The truth was, I was seeing my new backyard, my new playground, my new school and my new home. . . I have grown up a lot in the past ten years; okay, grown up a lot on the inside and still working on growing up on the outside . . . I stand before you today as a member of the Mooseheart NJROTC. It has greatly impacted my life and when I am in uniform I am completely different, so please allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Chief Petty Officer Greenaway. . . NJROTC has taught me to be committed to my goals and made me more determined than ever to chase my dreams. My greatest achievement in NJROTC is that I have met the challenges of leadership and as of today am the most decorated in my class . . . . NJROTC provides a balance of time between classroom study and military activities, physical fitness and orientation trips, which for me means that there is little time left to get into trouble (that’s my story and I am sticking to it).. .. I love playing football, running track and participating in varsity wrestling. I also lift weights to improve my strength. (I had to tell you that because otherwise you wouldn’t notice.) This past year I even had the privilege to visit the Maryland/Delaware /DC Moose Association with my home, we had a blast and I consider that trip one of my most treasured memories. . . I want to graduate from Mooseheart High School and then attend Ohio State University on a Moose scholarship (go Buckeyes!). After college, I want to enlist in the Marine Corps and see the world from a different vantage point. After my enlistment is over, I would like to seek a job in law enforcement or marine biology. In closing I want to say, thank you for raising me, thank you for giving me the tools to do something with my life, to achieve greater things than even I thought possible. I appreciate all that you have done for me and all the other kids at Mooseheart. May God bless you all!”

For more information about the Child City, call the Admissions Office at 630/859-2000 ext. 2662 or visit www.mooseheart.org.