Mooseheart senior competes in three-point shootdown

Of the many partnerships that connect Mooseheart students with local communities, none is stronger than the one with Illinois Miss Amazing, an annual event for girls and women with disabilities that takes place in early April at the Yellow Box Community Christian Church in Naperville.

That partnership is four years strong and already planned to continue in 2019 and has proved to be as beneficial to Mooseheart's students as it has been for the Illinois Miss Amazing participants.

"Relationships of this magnitude are so important," Mooseheart Executive Director Gary Urwiler said. "There are so many things our kids can gain in life from this opportunity and it warms my heart to see our kids able to come here, provide service and continue this relationship."

Nearly 20 Mooseheart students assisted with this year's show, providing both behind the scenes and onstage help to make the show special for participants and audience.

"Every year, they increase their numbers," Director of Illinois Miss Amazing Jess Harnish said. "It's a really important relationship in that we're able to bring them here and expose them to this population. It's also important for the students to know that they're valuable and that they're able to give back with the talents that they have."

A number of the school's cosmetology students helped with makeup and hair prior to the start of this year's April 7 show. The time constraints and need to do the work correctly put pressure on the students.

"Our kids gain so much, and this event is a unique opportunity for our students to use their cosmetology skills and help the participants feel and look beautiful. It's wonderful to see how excited they are," Urwiler said.

A further group of Mooseheart Naval Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corps students served as "right-hand men" and escorted participants onstage.

"There is no railing on the edge of our stage, so we truly utilize those students in supporting our participants as they are coming offstage. Some depend on them greatly," Harnish said.

In addition to the students, a number of Mooseheart staff attends Miss Amazing to chaperon the students and attend the event.

"Some of our chaperones have been here every year and they look forward to this as much as the students. They just want to be here because their hearts swell and the children see that as well," Urwiler said.

Mooseheart is a residential child care facility located on an 1,000-acre campus, off Route 31, between Batavia and North Aurora. The Child City is a home for children and teens in need, from infancy through high school.

Dedicated in July 1913 by the Moose fraternal organization, Mooseheart cares for youth whose families are unable, for a variety of reasons, to care for them.

Some have lost one or both parents; others are living in environments that are simply not conducive to healthy growth and development. Whatever the reason, the men and women of the Moose, through unparalleled generosity and volunteerism, furnish the resources necessary to care for children in need. The Moose fraternity provides children with a wholesome, homelike environment and the best possible training and education.

They need to continue to strengthen an academic program and vocational program that works and allows students to take strides to learn at grade level and graduate with a college scholarship.

Eighty percent of Mooseheart graduating seniors enroll in two- and four-year universities around the country. Mooseheart Child City and School gives children a second chance at childhood in a safe environment where they enjoy a solid education and home.

Visit www.mooseheart.org or follow them at www.facebook.com/MooseheartChildCity/.