Wednesday, December 20, 2000
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Wednesday, December 20, 2000 |
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Peeples jugglers prepare to thrill By PAT NEWMAN It's only 7:30 a.m., but the balls are already flying in the gym at Peeples Elementary. Close to 30 youngsters are intent on tossing, catching and bouncing their red, yellow and blue balls to the beat of the music and the commands issued by Deborah Friday, PE teacher and juggler extraordinaire. For 13 years, Friday has been teaching children how to juggle. Her first Fayette County team was developed at Burch Elementary, where she taught from 1993 until this school year, when she came on board at Peeples. The juggling bug bit Friday in 1986 when she learned the art and began working with children at Jackson Academy in Jackson, MS. "This is the first year we've had juggling here and I was shocked and surprised that 31 students made the team," Friday said, following the early morning practice she leads twice a week. Tryouts were held early in the school year. Students were selected for the team based on their ability to complete 90 "throws" without dropping the ball. While most of the team is composed of fourth and fifth graders, one extremely proficient second grader also made the cut. Friday believes, as do some juggling experts, that the skill improves concentration and eye-hand coordination, although she has no formalized data to prove it. The Peeples Juggling Team will demonstrate its skills next month at a physical education conference on Jekyll Island and during the holiday performances at their school.
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