Since teaching at Windham Christian Academy these past six years, I have organized my middle school students into a juggler troupe in their own right. This year's class of 22 kids has been busy rehearsing over the first four weeks of the school year, and they had their first public performance on Thursday.
Early on Thursday morning, my aide, Amanda and I pulled the students together, had them load the LOL props into the school van and the trunks of the cars that would be driven by two parent chaperones, circled up to pray, grabbed one last cup of coffee, and headed into Portland's Barron Center nursing home - maybe 10 miles from school. The kids were remarkably efficient at loading, unloading and setting up for the show, especially for the first show of the year. One he benefits is that 12 of our 22 students are returning from last year's LOL team. Also, four of our eighth graders have been elected as LOL officers, and this year's officers are all natural leaders.
Our show ran 40 minutes, which is just right for a first show. By June we'll likely be at an hour plus. Alex surprised us all with how well she projected her lines given how soft spoken she is in class. Katie debuted a new trick that LOL has never used. After looking all over the stage to plug in a lamp ("You are the light of the world."), she inserts the plug into my mouth, and the lamp lights up brightly. Andrei juggled four rings, and Cutter and Sam both juggled machetes. The highlight for me this year is that my youngest daughter, Rose (Who is 12 today) is in my class and part of the team. She is already a strong diabolo spinner and lights up the stage as an actress. She is in two skits, and is truly a scene stealer.
After the show, the kids visit the residents. The room was full of chatter, and there were kids and residents holding hands and praying all around the activities room. Corban, whose mother is a sign language interpreter, signed with a deaf lady, and Alex, whose mother is Puerto Rican, spoke with a Spanish resident who didn't seem to know English. In many ways, this is more meaningful than the show itself.
Once we packed up the vehicles, we were off to McDonald's for lunch, then back to school. We're off to a strong start.