Juggling gains following at Riverside
While most teens are juggling iPods, cell phones and laptops, students at Riverside High School have discovered a passion for an old-fashioned activity.
Spanish teacher Patricia Bowsher attended the Coeur d’Alene Juggling Festival with her husband last summer. As she watched the crowds enthralled by the performers’ dexterity and creativity, she immediately saw a way to capture the attention of restless teens.
She taught herself to juggle, with some help from her husband, and she crocheted beanbags to use as props. When she introduced juggling to her students, some kids were skeptical, saying “juggling is for clowns.” But after a few demonstrations, even the skeptics were hooked.
“Everybody likes to show off,” said junior Luke Wetzler. “I get bored easily, and this looked fun.”
In January, the Riverside High School Jugglers Club debuted. Currently more than 20 juggling aficionados meet regularly to master new tricks and practice old ones.
“It’s amusing. There’s always stuff around to juggle, and you don’t need any batteries,” said Randy Geistwhite, 17,
“They don’t like you juggling items at Wal-Mart though,” Wetzler cautioned.
Junior Meagan Bowler added, “Teachers don’t appreciate it when you juggle during class time either.”
Bowsher says juggling fulfills an innate need kids have to manipulate objects and play with others. It’s an opportunity for them to express themselves and show off their skills.
“I’m not good at sports, so this is a way for me to be part of something and hang out with my friends,” said Wetzler.
Aleksey Nerobeyev, a 16-year-old exchange student from Ukraine, was drawn to juggling by the camaraderie and fun. “It’s a good way to kill time,” he said.
Bowsher noted that kids often complain about being bored. They’re used to being spectators instead of participants. Juggling keeps the mind and the body active, she said.
The Riverside Jugglers performed at the school spring sports assembly in March to the delight of the crowd. The juggling club would like to perform at elementary schools and retirement homes as well. In some U.S. high schools, one can even letter in juggling.
Recently Riverside hosted its first Joggling Classic at a track meet. Joggling is a 100-meter race in which competitors run while juggling. If they get out of their lane or drop a ball, they’re disqualified.
In this race everyone except Nerobeyev dropped the ball. He crossed the finish line with a champion grin on his face.
As Bowsher said, “Juggling is great for exercise, challenge, building self-esteem and companionship.”
Just don’t try it at Wal-Mart.