Lewis says that during MASO’s early stages, students from Moon and surrounding school districts would come together for a student community forum. During that time, high school students would discuss various issues that they found were confronting their communities.

   “It wasn’t the adults leading, it was the students,” said Lewis.

   While adults were there to lend support, student leaders took it upon themselves to figure out what the issues were, and how they could address those issues in their own environment. That might have meant forming a Peer Helper or Students Against Destructive Decisions Group at the local schools. Students determined the resources needed, and MASO helped support their efforts to make their vision a reality.

   “We were there to give positive reinforcement,” recalled Lewis. “But really, we were just overseeing. It was the students who were making the difference. It was a real eye-opener about what many young adults must live through.”

   While a variety of initiates have formed from MASO’s efforts, a few of the most notable are Girls’ Night Out, the Backpack Program, and most recently, Kids’ Night In.

   Through programs like these, students come together to learn about making the positive choices and also have the opportunity to help others.

   During Girls’ Night Out, girls from eighth grade entering high school in the upcoming year come together to get acclimated to the new school, listen to a series of talks from high school seniors about their experiences, and benefit from an opportunity to talk about issues while taking part in fun, friendly, “typical” girl activities like nail painting.

   GNO has been a success largely due in part to the fact that it offers real perspective to young adults.

   “They’re hearing from people who are close to their age in a structured, yet fun and friendly environment,” explained Lewis.

   The Backpack Program is an outreach effort to help the West Hills Food Pantry. Stretching across the Moon Area and Cornell school districts, the Backpack Program collects backpacks and supplies for school students during the entire school year. Once all items and donations have been made, students and teachers come together to pack the backpacks and deliver them to the Food Pantry.

   Lewis explained that during the initial years, MASO was “truly a very reactive group.” When the need was there, or an issue happened, they responded. Today, they still react to whatever issues come their way, but they are also proactive in their nature. Initiatives like GNO and the Backpack Program are testaments to that goal.

   In the past year, MASO’s proactive nature became even more evident as it inspired and helped launch another non-profit group: LIME4Life.

   LIME4Life is a non-profit founded by Moon Township resident Allison Dushack. A 2014 graduate of Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center, Dushack was once a victim of bullying. She relied on the support of MASO and Lewis, her former teacher, as a resource for support.

   Dushack explained that she has always had a close connection to Lewis, as both her mother and Lewis taught together at Moon.

   “To this day, she’s still my favorite teacher,” Duschack said of her first grade teacher.

   After being bullied in middle school, Dushack suffered after effects, but wanted to do something to make a difference.

   “I was dealing with a lot at the time, but I wanted to take something positive from it,” she says.

   With that, and Lewis’ support, Dushack eventually went on to found LIME4Life.

   “When we first thought about doing this, all it took was one phone call to Mrs. Lewis and she immediately helped us,” she says. 

   “Living Is Meant for Everyone,” Dushack explained about the acronym in her organization’s name.

   “My goal is to help younger students and to raise awareness about bullying,” she says.

   Dushack accomplishes this by giving speeches at local grade schools and most recently hosted her own Kids’ Night In - similar to GNO but for fourth grade students.

   Lewis has had the joy of supporting Allison over the years.

   “She’s the true story now!  She’s our future!” she said of Duschack.

   This fall, Dushack will attend Robert Morris University, where she plans to study business management.

   “I’d like to also be able to get my certificate in nonprofit leadership,” she says.

   She recognizes that her LIME4Life efforts would not be possible without the help of the friend and support she found in Lewis.

   “Now I’m able to reach out and help kids because of her help. She has been so inspiring to me. She always helps others. I want to be like her one day.”

   That recognition seems to be extending its reach as Lewis was recently presented with the Pennsylvania State Education Association’s Friend of Education Award.

   The award came as a surprise to her, she recalls.

   “This could have been presented to anyone. I retired four years ago, but this was an honor and nice surprise,” she said.

   As the years go on, individuals like Lewis and Dushack will continue to spearhead initiatives that help others in their community.

   “We want people to be able to live positively,” said Lewis.

   The difficulty of some of today’s social issues certainly makes that a large feat, but thanks to MASO and LIME4Life, the opportunity to make a positive difference is there for everyone.

   For more information, please visit: http://www.moonhelpline.com/ or http://lime4life.com.