MayJune_2012

Junior
Joey
Update
by
Cheri Venturi,
Director of Education
The Junior Joey program
started with some concern
about attendance, but we
ended with great hope and
enthusiasm for the future. As
many of you know, COAI
has tried to enroll more
students in our convention
program but many schools
will not allow the joeys to
take the time off or give them
credit for attending. Thus our
enrollment has not been what
we had expected over the
past two or three years. Due
to the time commitment and
dedication to the program,
the Board had to make a
minimum requirement if the
program was to be an all-day
event. We decided to make it
for five students.
By the time the
convention was a week
away, we found out one
student could not come at
all and the others could
only attend on Saturday.
After much discussion we
changed the format and
decided to continue with a
shortened schedule. With the
cooperation of the host Alley
the students were able to
attend the morning sessions
with the JJ staff and then
select the classes or events
that they wanted to attend
on their own, for the same JJ
registration fee.
Am I glad that I had the
pleasure of working with
three of the most talented
girls: Blake “Dot,” Riann
“Dip,” and Janae “JoJo”
as well as our one boy,
Max “Blackbird.” What
a trouper! He arrived on
Saturday and joined right
in the group. He did a super
job learning everything
in crash collision time.
Thanks to the girls for
helping him and including
him in everything. These
four students were the most
enthusiastic and energetic
clowns I have had the
pleasure of instructing.
Obviously they had a great
deal of training before
they arrived and were very
confident in their clown
characters. They were
willing to try anything and
everything. They were
eager to practice and create
personal touches to make
the skits their own. They
loved the magic and each
one chose to demonstrate
a trick at the performance
on Saturday. They did a
splendid job of leading off
the parade on Saturday and
showed us their great moves
on the dance floor at the
theme party.
Here are a few comments
that the girls sent back.
Junior Joeys lead the way for the Paradability contestants.
Thanks to Kendra (Boss
Clown), we were able to get
them and the pictures.
I had a great time during
the junior joey program.
I learned about big
movements and hiding the
small ones. I really enjoyed
spending time with all the
people who spent their time
teaching us. Thank you so
much. Riann “Dip”
I really liked learning
how to better express
myself, especially with
facial expressions. It was
all such a fun experience;
the parade, our program,
the magic, and more! I now
know how to use a thumb tip
and am excited to try it out!
The scholarship was also
awesome. Blake “Dot”
I learned many things at
clown camp. Our Jr. Joey
class was a class for just
kids and clowns in training.
Mostly we learned makeup
techniques, magic tricks, and
acting tips. My favorite part
was clown ministry where
magic tricks were turned
into illusions of God. I also
learned that Elvis sweats a
lot! Janae “ JoJo”
I would like to thank
all the Board members
who contributed their time
to teach the Junior Joeys
as well as those that gave
their support for continuing
the program in spite of
not meeting the minimum
registrations. I would like
to especially thank Georgia
for bringing all the props
continued on page 46
May/June 2012 Page 45