Reviews of Landon Ballard’s Presentations
This photo features Landon Ballard, MWAH! Troupe Director-Producer, with Stephanie White, Assistant Principal of Chana Education Center, following a one-hour presentation by Landon and his wife, Amaria, on November 6, 2024. The Center is an alternative school west of Rochelle, Illinois that supports
the academic, emotional, and behavioral needs of students in grades 6-12 within Ogle and Lee Counties southwest of Rockford.
Following their presentation, Landon and Amaria distributed to the students digitized scanning cards with additional information about the troupe, including access to the MWAH! website and 29 troupe-related Humans Anonymous YouTube podcasts.
This was the second visit by Landon and his wife, Amaria, to the Chana Center.
Following their first visit, on April 28, 2022, Ms. White noted that it was encouraging to hear Landon and Amaria speak about their own personal challenges and for Chana Education Center students to know that they, too, can emerge from the other side of their personal battles and become stronger
as adults prepared to take on their own future challenges.
Landon and Amaria again were extremely pleased about their response from the Chana Education Center students and staff.
Landon Speaks At Rochelle Middle School
Pictured from Left: Assistant Principal Katie Smith, MWAH! Presenter Landon Ballard, & School Counselor Marcy Bruhn
The following is a review submitted by School Counselor Marcy Bruhn after Landon spoke at Rochelle Middle School, on October 25, 2024:
This morning, Landon Ballard spoke with students at Rochelle Middle School, sharing his powerful story of overcoming addiction and the impact of small choices on the future. He emphasized the importance of choosing the right friends—ladder friends who build you up, rather than shovel friends who support poor decisions. Landon highlighted how choices like vaping or spending time with the wrong crowd can significantly shape one's path. His message encouraged students to surround themselves with positive influences to achieve their goals.
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Esta mañana, Landon Ballard habló con los estudiantes de la Escuela Secundaria Rochelle, compartiendo su poderosa historia de superar la adicción y el impacto de las pequeñas decisiones en el futuro. Enfatizó la importancia de elegir a los amigos correctos: amigos que te eleven en lugar de amigos que apoyen malas decisiones. Landon destacó cómo elecciones como vapear o pasar tiempo con las personas equivocadas pueden influir significativamente en el camino de uno. Su mensaje animó a los estudiantes a rodearse de influencias positivas para alcanzar sus metas.
Landon Ballard Visits Morrison High School
Landon Ballard spoke with the Morrison High School students and staff on April 25, 2023. MHS had previously hosted the MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe years ago and eagerly welcomed them back for an encore performance. They did not disappoint. Landon’s presentation was thoroughly presented and related extremely well to our students. By combining humor, examples, and an informal but highly focused presentation, he shared his story and gave the audience immediate useful take-aways. True learning took place! Our students and staff left feeling excited and motivated. I would highly recommend Mr. Ballard and the MWAH! Troupe as a speaker/presenter for future programs.
-Mr. Cory Bielema, Principal, Morrison High School (Morrison, IL)
Testimonial from Mr. Duane Price, Principal, Bureau Valley High School (Manlius, IL):
On March 16, 2023, Bureau Valley High School students were brought together for a guest speaker through the MWAH! Performing Arts Troupe. When Landon Ballard was announced and took the stage, he captivated the audience with his authenticity and tone. He presented a personal narrative that was raw and illuminated the struggles of addiction and mental health faced by many adolescents. The life experiences that he and his wife Amaria shared will, hopefully, resonate with the young adults who experience similar personal battles or empower those not struggling to find ways to recognize and assist others to find means and resources to get the help that they need.
Bureau Valley High School Principal Duane Price welcomed Landon and Amaria Ballard to Bureau Valley High School for four assemblies to students on March 16. Landon and Amaria are pictured with their children, Bea and Alivia, and their dog, Blue.
Landon holds his younger daughter, Alivia, while his older daughter, Bea, bonds with the family dog, Blue, backstage at Bureau Valley High School.
Landon and Amaria Ballard, accompanied by their children, Alivia (left) and Bea (right), visited Bureau Valley High School in Manlius, IL on March 16, 2023 to share their stories and words of inspiration during four presentations to students. Their dog, Blue, proved popular with Bureau Valley’s students.
Landon Visits Paw Paw Junior/Senior High School
Landon Ballard and his wife, Amaria, had the opportunity to speak with junior high students at Paw Paw Junior/Senior High School in north-central Illinois on December 5, 2022 on the topics of substance use, mental health, and family dynamics. Pictured (l-r) are Jennifer Warrenfeltz, Superintendent/Principal, Paw Paw CUSD #271, and Amaria and Landon Ballard.
As a superintendent and principal I was a little worried about having a young man, I had never met or heard speak, come in and talk to our junior high students about his story of trauma and recovery. It wasn’t long into his message however that I realized this would be a great experience for our students. As Landon began his story our students were chatty and distracted but within a very short time the room was silent and all students were engaged and focused on his story and message. Having his wife Amaria also talk and share her story was very powerful as well for our students. Hearing two different stories allowed our students to feel connected to Landon and Amaria. We were not able to participate in the small group or parent sessions, however I can only imagine they would have been just as powerful, if not more so. Thank you Landon and Amaria for taking time to come to Paw Paw and speak to our junior high students. Your openness and vulnerability will have a lasting impact on our student body.
Jennifer Warrenfeltz, Superintendent/Principal, Paw Paw CUSD #271
Social Worker Stephanie White’s feedback on a presentation by Landon and Amaria Ballard on April 28, 2022, at the Chana Education Center, an alternative school in Chana, Illinois, in Ogle County, west of Rochelle, that supports the academic, emotional, and behavioral needs of students in grades 6-12 within Ogle and Lee Counties:
‘At Chana we focus on social emotional learning (SEL). Without a stable emotional state, academics and learning are not possible. We work every day to help our students find the best versions of themselves, despite all the barriers and hurdles that are constantly thrown at them.
As we watch our students struggle day in and day out, it was encouraging to hear Landon and Amaria speak about their own personal trials and tribulations and to know that students, like them, can emerge from the other side of their personal battles and be stronger adults ready to take on the next chapter in their book of life.
I watched the faces of our students, and they were listening. They were engaged from the start. Never have I heard such silence from our student body during a presentation.
Landon and Amaria both did a terrific job of relating their stories to similar stories involving our students and encouraging them to keep trying and taking it step by step to overcome theirown personal demons in their efforts to find their own successes.
Thank you for coming.
We look forward to meeting with you again soon.’
Among the student responses from a feedback survey were the following:
‘Taking it step by step was powerful.’
‘Stay on the right track. It takes a lot to do what you’ve done.’
‘Best presentation ever!’
‘Y’all literally inspired me.’
‘Addiction is like digging a hole for yourself.’
‘You guys are strong and amazing.’
‘I most remember Landon’s saying that he didn’t think he’d be in the position he was in.’
‘I could really connect to what Amaria said because her mom passed away a couple of years before my mom did.’
‘I most remember how some drugs can ruin your life.’
‘They both were amazing! They should come back.’
“Having never met Landon and knowing that a 22-year-old presenter was planning on talking to our students and parents made me nervous when I learned about his presentation.
Boy was I wrong.
Landon's ability to articulate his message and connect to both students and parents was incredible. His message resonated with the students; his videos and images were woven into his message skillfully as he connected the students to his life.
Landon's one-on-one with students after the whole group presentation was personal, meaningful and well attended. Students were eager to meet and talk to Landon.
Landon's life experiences and story of hope will captivate both students and adults as well as help connect youth to answers they are searching for in this challenging time.”
-Dr. Darryl Hogue, Superintendent, River Bend CUSD #2(Fulton, IL)
Landon Ballard with Principal Mark Morris of the Regional Center for Change
“Landon and his wife, Amaria, held the attention of our students for over an hour.... you could hear a pin drop in our cafeteria! Students were glued to the edge of their seats and their message of recovery and hope was inspirational and timely!
Many of the students at C4C have faced multiple traumas in their lives and finding the motivation and passion to achieve in school and life can be an overwhelming endeavor. Both Landon and Amaria spoke their truth, not always pretty and not always positive but that's not what our students need to hear. They need to know that life can give us challenges and sadly sometimes those challenges can come from the people that were supposed to be our family or our friends.
For the first time, many of our students heard and saw firsthand that there is a way out of the trauma, there is a way out from repeating the trauma, and most importantly there is hope for a future! As an alternative school principal, I can say Landon and Amaria's presentation was one of the best we've had at the school. They are a true example of what we attempt to embody in our school's mission and mascot. We are the home of the Phoenix ~ Rising up from despair to a brighter future! Thank you, Landon and Amaria, you touched the hearts of not only our students but our staff as well.”
-Mr. Mark Morris, Principal, Regional Center for Change (C4C), Regional Office of Education #47 (Rock Falls, IL)
Presentation Date: February 11, 2022