‘Better late than never’ or so the old saying goes. I’ve always thought that to be a trite excuse for those who seem to always be behind schedule. But as I pound the keys for my quarterly report, which is more than two weeks past due, I’m claiming the adage as my own. However, the tardiness of my report did make me think about some of our kids here at Mooseheart. This time of year I always find myself busy preparing a host of files for our admissions committee. As I wrap up each case, I conduct an interview with each child’s parent or guardian. The interview recounts each child’s personal family history, warts and all. While each story is different, many common themes run through each including, pervasive fatherlessness, physical and substance abuse, limited financial resources, and heavy doses of both regret and disappointment. Life’s regrets and disappointments work on one’s mind in different ways. Sometimes they bring about crippling indecisiveness and insecurity. Many live in fear of making the same mistakes or being hurt all over again. Others quit. But still others are strengthened and develop a mature, vigilant resolve that actively protects against repeating mistakes and misguided trust. These individuals move forward in spite of the past and many of these resilient folks call on Mooseheart for help. So better late than never seemed appropriate to me as I

reflect on the class of 2013. I can recall interviews throughout the years with parents all but begging for a second chance for their child. The stories recount a plethora of foolish decisions and broken relationships. I recall the single mom of 4 who sat in our PJO Center crying upon completion of her tour of Mooseheart. She just knew she couldn’t afford such a grand opportunity for her children. I was proud to inform her that tuition was a gift from the LOOM. I recall the 5- page letter from the 6th grader who told the story of his “crackhead” mother and his father’s 30-year prison sentence and how he just wanted a ‘normal life’. Life’s regrets and disappointments had brought them to a point of despair, but these families kept searching in spite of a late start in the area of success and happiness. I hope you bust a top button as your chest swells with the pride knowing that these boys will begin their college careers next month because of you! So if you find yourself tempted to stress about being a little behind schedule or realizing you haven’t made a call on behalf of MH for a few months, remember the MH class of 2013, late starts sometimes result in the most dramatic and beautiful victories. Make that call today.

“Many live in fear of making the same mistakes or being hurt all over again. Others quit. But still others are strengthened and develop a mature, vigilant resolve”

By Kyle Rife, Director of Admissions

Apr-Jun 2013 VOLUME #1 ISSUE #11 www.mooseheart.org

103 BOYS

78 GIRLS

181 TOTAL –June 30, 2013 *Plus 16 day students for the school year.

6 MONTHS OLD

13.46 YEARS OLD

(GRADUATE)- 4.43 YRS.

2.48 YEARS

Illinois - 107

Iowa – 20 Ohio – 9

Florida – 8 Indiana - 6

California – 5 Maryland - 3 Missouri – 3 Arizona - 2

Arkansas – 2 Colorado - 2

Massachusetts – 2 Pennsylvania – 2

Wisconsin – 2 Alaska – 1 Canada – 1

Connecticut - 1 Delaware – 1 Michigan – 1

New Jersey – 1 New York – 1

North Carolina - 1 Oregon - 1

Pennsylvania - 1 Texas – 1

Virginia – 1 TOTAL – 181

+ 26 students pending placement And 50 + student apps in process

Non-School age - 4 Nursery School - 7 Elementary – School - 41 Middle School - 42 High School - 87

CLASS OF 2013

BOYS – 20

GIRLS – 11

31 TOTAL

Kohl’s Cares about Mooseheart! Staff from local area Kohl’s department stores poured onto MH campus on April 27th to participate in the annual “Go Green” event. (left) Mr. Urwiler energizes the crowd before they are dispersed across MH campus to get to work. (center) MH alumnus, Chris Morones, shared his story with the volunteers. (right) A tree was planted at MH in honor of Kohl’s.

MH class of 2013 got the centennial celebration kicked off in style. (left) MH seniors pause for pictures prior to the commencement ceremony. (center) Moose dignitaries and the senior class stand for the pledge of allegiance. The outdoor ceremony was squeezed in in spite of light rain. (right) Mr. Urwiler embraces Oumaru Abdulahi (IA #304) The state champion high jumper, who came to MH as an elementary student, is on his way to Marquette University in WI by virtue of a track scholarship.

Class (of 2013) Act!

Moose Legion Mecca 9 sponsored summer tee-ball for the little Ramblers here on campus. (far left) MH FT and alumnus, Mark Bowser, works with Trevon Cunnigham (IL #682) to perfect his swing. (mid left) Isaak Babajide (FL #2073) tries to choose the right cap. Cedan Echols (IL #300) pauses to offer a little smile for the camera. Madison Janda (IL #799) brings a little style with her pink bat and helmet.

Boys and girls of Summer R R bl N ti li d ll

• “I want to go to Mooseheart because it is a better opportunity than regular school and right now my family is going through a lot of money problems. We are about to lose our house. I think the best thing I can give (my family) is them knowing I’m going to be successful in life.”

• “I think the possibility of going to Mooseheart is the way to get my life where I want it to be. I hope you take me.”

• “My grandma has a lot of stress on her, her husband is dying. When I get home from school she is in a bad mood. I cry a lot. I just want a normal life.”

• In my family, I’m the man of the house. My dream will come true when I can take care of my family and my mother can stop working 12 hours a day. I am very sure Mooseheart will (help) me to do that. That I will become somebody in life and will have the tools to do it.”

Each of our seniors certainly felt quite differently about the prospect of coming to MH before it became a reality. Below you will find quotes from original letters submitted to the Mooseheart Admissions Committee as part of their application packets. A special thanks is in order for each member of our great fraternity. Without your selfless efforts to support Mooseheart and its children, the cycle of regret and disappointment would not have broken. Here’s looking forward to the next 100 years of service to children in need.

(Left) Even Bambi joined the Graduation celebration. Looks like the long bus ride, and all the walking on campus tired him out too. (Below) Presenting the MH class of 2013. Members from the group of 31 will be attending colleges and universities all over the country or enlisting in the US military.

(Left) Seniors Nezra McCarty (FL #2356) and Jennifer Ledcke (IA #1096) enjoy a dance at MH’s 2013 prom. Maybe she told him how handsome he is! (Below left) Brandon Gadson (IN #570) will represent the class of 2014 as the NJROTC Company Commander.

(above) Spring at MH always means the elementary track meet. (left) Tarie Frank (MD #296) pulls away from the pack competing for a blue ribbon victory. (right) senior Junior Smith (IA #2589) gives soccer instruction to 2nd grader Leslie Pineda (IL #1368)

(Above right) The spring sun is always a welcome change after the winter months and brings out the beauty of MH’s 1,000 acres. (Left) Early June saw the beginning of the summer-long school renovation project. MH’s school year is set to begin on August 26th Visit Facebook for the full collection of MH photos http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mooseheart-Child-City-and-School-Inc/221974914493566

www.mooseheart.org Always only a click away

MOOSEHEART, April 23 - Without any sense of hyperbole – In nearly 100 years, there truly has never been a day at Mooseheart Child City & School like what is planned for the 1,000-acre campus on Saturday, April 27.

For the fourth straight year, associates of the Kohl’s department store chain are to come to Mooseheart to participate in a “Go Green” event, where they will clean and beautify the campus. But the size and financial impact of this event has grown every year – and this year figures to be the largest and most impacting yet.

http://www.mooseheart.org/2013/news/Kohls.asp

Some of our top news on www.mooseheart.org!

Mooseheart, May 9 – As U-Conjay Nelson stepped to the microphone to deliver her remarks as outgoing Company Commander of Mooseheart's Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) unit, most in the audience had no idea the impacting speech they were about to hear.

Instead of merely some platitudes to her time at Mooseheart and some exhortations about prosperous futures, Nelson told a story – her story, but also Mooseheart's story as well -- to the May 3 crowd before she handed the sword of command to incoming Commander Brandon Gadson.

http://www.mooseheart.org/2013/news/NJROTCCommand.asp

SENECA, IL, May 17, 2013 –Mooseheart's boys track teams have accomplished many things in their long and storied history. There have been state titles and numerous incredible performances against much larger schools.

But according to IHSA records, the school had never won a state sectional meet – until Friday. The Ramblers scored 102 points and outscored second-placed Aurora Christian 102-82 to claim the IHSA Class 1A Seneca Sectional.

http://www.mooseheart.org/2013/news/TrackSectionalWin.asp

Steve and Carrie had anger problems that turned into regular physical altercations between them. When the teenage couple discovered that Carrie was pregnant, they tried to stay together and make things work, but the relationship dissolved within the first year. Before baby Sophie turned two, she and Carrie had moved over 10 times. It was then that grandma and grandpa stepped up to take care of little Sophie. Grandma Bea and grandpa were able to provide stability for the little girl for the next 6 years. However the sudden illness and death of grandpa sent Bea and Sophie into a tailspin. The transition to a new job and the loss of her husband, led Bea into a depression and the onset of physical symptoms. The next 4 years proved to be even more difficult for Bea. Her health continued to deteriorate and a growing Sophie became rebellious. Sophie’s mother rarely came to town and when she did, it was to see old

friends, not her daughter. Sophie discovered on the Internet that her father had started a new family and he boasted how he now had the son he had always wanted. Bea noticed that Sophie was struggling to come to terms with this lack of parental involvement, and that her best efforts to care for Sophie were coming “the sudden illness and death of grandpa sent Bea and Sophie into a tailspin.”

A true story of a family’s path to Mooseheart

up short. And after two extended hospital stays, Bea realized that she could no longer enforce rules at home and provide Sophie with the daily care she needed. Her friends, involved in WOTM, encouraged her to reach out to Mooseheart. Sophie is now under the care of Mooseheart’s Family Teachers. She participates in the many activities available to her on campus and is a healthy distance from the family drama that was so discouraging just months ago. Thanks to those dedicated WOTM for caring and sharing.

Wendell Wayne Wallace entered Mooseheart on September 23, 1916 as the 268th student to enter the

gates of the Child City. He had three brother and sisters, Wayne 16 years old, Welcome 15, Milbee 10, and Burdetta 12. They came from Watertown, SD and were sponsored by Lodge no. 1310. He was in the first Mooseheart graduating class of 5 graduates, 1919. His vocation was drafting. He excelled in football, baseball, was captain of the track team, and participated in band, orchestra, choir, and glee club. Wayne also served as class Vice President. His graduation motto was: “A Boy is a Man in the Cocoon; His Life is Big With Winged Possibilities.” He went to University of Illinois and earned a civil engineering degree in 1923. During the summers, he would return to Mooseheart where he helped dig the foundations for the Campanile and Baby Village residences. He joined the Moose on his 21st birthday, Feb. 9, 1922, as a member of his father’s home lodge Watertown, S. D. He started working as a staff engineer for the Chicago-based Portland Cement Co. He transferred his Moose membership to Chicago Lodge No. 3 and was elected President of the Illinois Moose Association in 1939. He started a fund-raising drive for a modern Mooseheart athletic stadium and designed the 3,000-capacity structure himself. On Sept. 28, 1940 he saw the opening of the Illinois Memorial Stadium. Director General James J. Davis appointed Wallace to the Mooseheart Board of Governors in 1941 where he served until 1953. Wayne was the first Mooseheart graduate to become a Mooseheart Governor. He received his Pilgrim Degree of Merit in 1943. In 1948-50, he helped supervise the construction of the House of God. In 1984, he was conferred as a Past Supreme Governor. Wayne and his wife Kimmie retired to Moosehaven in 1990. Kimmie died in 1993 and Wayne followed on April 15, 1997 after suffering a stroke. The couple’s ashes remain in the Mooseheart Cemetery. Wayne truly lived out the motto of Mooseheart, “Enter to Learn and Leave to serve” Wayne entered, learned to serve, and returned to serve.” - Robert Zaininger, Curator Museum of Moose History

(above) WW as pictured in the 1919 edition of MHS ‘The Seniors’ book’ (below) WW at 96 years old while a resident of Moosehaven.