DANFORTH, Maine — East Grand School hosted “Circus Smirkus” for a week-long residency in early March. Students had the opportunity to learn a variety of circus tricks under the tutelage of a staff instructor.
While learning to balance spinning plates, form human pyramids, and juggle, the students also learned “circus secrets”, valuable life lessons taught through circus skills. They discovered that learning requires, effort, flexible thinking, perseverance, and the willingness to listen.
Students showcased their newly acquired skills at a special Friday evening show. The performance was well-attended by parents and members of the community. With a big-top tent as a backdrop, the students juggled, balanced, and performed feats of acrobatic skill with only a week of practice under their belts.
For the students, showcasing their newly acquired skills gave them a chance to see first-hand the benefits of perseverance and hard work
Founded by veteran circus performer Rob Mermin, Circus Smirkus is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring youth to engage in life-changing adventures in the circus arts. Their headquarters is a 38 acre farm in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Since 1987, Circus Smirkus has been promoting the skills, cultures and traditions of the traveling circus.
