History ~ where have we been?
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According to organization records, the Docudrama originated in Maryville in 1994/1997. It started at Maryville High School and directed under the school as part of the Maryville Dare program before moving under local resident, Holly Cronk @ 2011 or 2012
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The Docudrama has been held at various locations, including the intersection of 7th and Depot Street, the Hangar Movie Theater, and the Bus Barn at MHS.
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Historically, eleven surrounding high schools have sent their sophomore students to attend:
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Albany, Bedford, Jefferson, Maryville High School, Nodaway Holt, North Nodaway, Northeast Nodaway, South Nodaway, Stanberry, West Nodaway, and Worth County
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The Docudrama has been awarded grants from the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety to purchase equipment to expand the event and buy t-shirts for every student attending in the years:
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2015 - $4500
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2017 - $5064
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2018 - $5659
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Since 2013, local business Nucor-LMP has been a corporate sponsor supplying $750 annually, as well as “safe driving” banners to hang in all the area schools.
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Over the years the event has focused on different distracted driving scenarios, including speeding, drunk driving, texting and driving, semi-truck trailers, farm tractors, mopeds, 4-wheelers, and many cars, trucks and minivans.
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This event serves as an emergency response training drill for any of the following agencies able to attend that day - Missouri Highway Patrol, Maryville Public Safety, Maryville Fire Department, Nodaway County Sheriff’s Department, Nodaway County Ambulance, Mosaic Hospital, Lifenet air ambulance, Nodaway County Coroner, area rescue squads, the list is endless.
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The goal of the event is to use the very short time we have with the kids to make the biggest impact possible. Our group motto is, “Let’s make this thing look as real as possible, with sounds, smells, visual effects, without actually hurting anyone involved…” When the students leave the event, we want it to be engrained long term in their memory bank.
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Starting in 2017, the NWMO Docudrama was able to establish an annual scholarship for graduating seniors who reside in NWMO/IA and are a student at a participating area school attending the annual Docudrama event. The scholarship was developed to assist students pursuing education in Emergency Medical Services, Nursing, Fire and Disaster Management, or another related field.
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There was no Docudrama held in 2020, 2021, and 2022 due to Covid restrictions, lack of availability to portable bleachers, and a change of leadership.
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In the spring of 2023 - the Northwest Missouri Docudrama was awarded $8700 from Ten Squared Women of Nodaway County to continue their efforts for many more years to come.