The circus comes to Island Park

Benjamin Upbin, left, and Jake Vobis spun plates like pros at the Lincoln Orens Middle School in Island Park. LOMS students participated in the National Circus Project in mid-February.

Courtesy Island Park Schools

Jovanni Pesante and Abel Rodriguez learned balancing techniques.

Courtesy Island Park Schools

From left, Sydney Faivre showed off her stilt styles with Morgan Shapiro, Dylan Bacigalupo, Justus Matthaei, Timothy Hyland and Emily Aitchison.

Courtesy Island Park Schools

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Can you imagine being encouraged to clown around in school? Fifth graders at Lincoln Orens Middle School recently got that opportunity, by participating in the National Circus Project, an innovative cultural arts organization that promotes student participation in physical education.

From Feb. 10-14, students worked with Al Calienes and Liam Selvey, a team of internationally acclaimed circus performers and instructors, along with Lincoln Orens physical education teachers Catherine Gerbino and Matthew Tarasenko, to develop circus skills including clowning, stilt walking, juggling, feather balancing, plate spinning, acrobatics and diabolo. After honing their new skills, the students performed before family and friends on Feb. 14 — and judging by the audience reaction, these young performers are ready for the Big Top.