Westside Messenger - February 23rd, 2020

More documents

Recommendations

Info

PAGE 4 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - February 23, 2020 TRICKS Continued from page 1 with a Basketball. “I didn’t think anyone would be interested in anything I had to say,” he said. It was a belief that had been entrenched in his mind since elementary school. When Jones was a kindergartener, he had trouble understanding letters and words. “They just didn’t make any sense to me whatsoever,” Jones said. “I tried with all of my might to make it make sense, but it wasn’t coming to me.” After a series of tests, Jones was diagnosed with dyslexia and put into a special education program to build his skills at his learning level. As a student in the program, it made him an easy target. “At first it wasn’t so bad but our school was set up in numerical order,” said Jones. “The first graders were at the front of the school, the third in the middle section and the fifth at the end. As I grew, and my classmates grew, they went further in the back and I stayed in the front. “It wasn’t easy, listening to what they would say to me or about those in the special education program, but I tried not to let it get in my heart.” He said he considers himself fortunate that he was placed into the special education program even though it made him an “easy person for others to pick on.” “I think when you grow up with challenges, it makes you a little grittier and it gives you a stronger work ethic because things do not come easily to you,” he said. Though he struggled at school, he persevered and went on to graduate with a degree in finance at Bowling Green State University and then a master’s at Ohio State University. Jones said when he tells people that tidbit, they always wonder what he is doing travelling the country performing at schools while showcasing his skills with a basketball (or three or four and all of various sizes). “It surprises them,” he said. “It surprises me too sometimes but I do not want to be doing anything else.” He said what he loves about his work is that when he goes into a new school, he always learns a new story and makes a new connection. For instance, when he performed at Darby Woods on Feb. 10, there was a student who was not paying attention to his performance. Though Jones said he wasn’t offended in the slightest, he could tell other kids were getting agitated by their actions. So he asked the child politely to sit, gave them a pencil, told them how awesome they are and then later had them come up to help him perform one of the more complex basketball skills acts. “(This child) gave me the biggest smile and talked to me afterwards,” he said. “I was later told that it was something they rarely do.” Jones said he knows all about not judging people by their appearance, or even judging them by a bad moment or day. “We all have them and we all make mistakes,” he said. “No one is perfect and that is completely OK. “You never know what someone is going through so that is why you always want to show kindness to them.” He said that while he does not share most of his story with the kids —“too boring,” he joked — he does slip in lessons he has learned along the way while dazzling them with spinning basketballs that fly through the air. “When I started doing this as my career, I knew I wasn’t going to change the world,” he said. “But I knew I wanted to change a part of their world by being kind and reminding them that they are enough.” www.columbusmessenger.com Savannah Rivers was pulled out of the audience to assist in an act that saw Jones pour water in her mouth while spinning the basketball. The towel was used as a precaution. NEW LOCATION! Westpointe Plaza Shopping Center 5388 Westpointe Plaza Drive, Hilliard Saturday, Feb. 29th 8am - 4pm UP TO 75% OFF! Shop our stores all week for savings! 2.24 - 2.29 Bake Sale Hotline: 614.776.1500 ext 61400. Supplies are limited. All sales final. No gift cards, savings passes, coupons, or discounts.
www.columbusmessenger.com February 23, 2020 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - PAGE 5 Westgate Neighbor’s Association to offer scholarship to local student Applications are now being accepted for the 2020 Westgate Neighborhood Scholarship. This scholarship is open to any graduating high school senior who is a resident of Westgate in Columbus (Westgate boundaries for the purposes of this scholarship are defined as West Broad Street to Sullivant and Hague to Demorest) and has applied to attend a college, university, Messenger photo by Ris Twigg Learning through art and dance During February, Columbus Metropolitan Libraries across the city are hosting a series of events to celebrate Black History Month. On Feb. 11, the Hilltop Branch invited patrons of all ages to join Babaaritah Clark, a West African song and dance performer, to learn about African history and culture through the art of song and dance. Clark is pictured here teaching kids at the Hilltop Library a song called “Funga Alafia,” which means “welcome, blessings” in Nigeria. After teaching the song, Clark taught around 15 kids the dance that goes along with the song. trade school, technical vocational training or other post-secondary education program in the 2020-2021 academic year. The scholarship is also open to full-time students currently attending a college, university, trade school, technical vocational training or other post-secondary education program in the 2020-2021 academic year. However, their parents or legal guardians must be current residents of Westgate. All applications must be postmarked by March 20. For more information, visit westgateneighbors.org. Mark Pi’s Feast of the Dragon Restaurant Asian & American Style Buffet New Location Grand Opening Lunch $5.88 Dinner $6.88 ALL-DAY BUFFET DEAL (614) 272-0210 New Location 3670 Soldano Blvd., Columbus, OH 43228 (former home town buffet location) 4840 West Broad – Columbus 614-870-0111 www.AmsColumbus.com 10% off one item* *Not valid for insurance transactions or with any other offers or discounts.
Page 1 and 2: westside February 23 - March 7, 202
Page 3: www.columbusmessenger.com By Amanda
Page 7 and 8: www.columbusmessenger.com Linus is
Page 9 and 10: www.columbusmessenger.com February
Page 11 and 12: www.columbusmessenger.com xAdult Ca

Westside Messenger - February 23rd, 2020

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?