N
TO
RESOURCES
TH
AL
Y
EA
6 WAYS TO GIVE BACK TO
YOUR CIRCUS STAFF
1
BY AMY COHEN
O F F E R
H E A L T H
A S S U R A N C E
Do you live in a community that has Community Supported
Agriculture? If so, purchase a few CSA shares and offer a
season of veggies to your staff as a benefit.
AYCO YOUNG LEADERS GIVE & RECEIVE
their organization, community,
school, or anywhere else their
ideas take them. 2
3
The Young Leader Scholarship
supports AYCO festival
attendance for people 21 and
under who are committed to
active roles of leadership in
promoting the participation of
youth circus arts. It is awarded
biannually to one or two youths
and includes a full festival pass
to the AYCO Festival, a $150
travel bursary, and a one-year
AYCO membership. In 2016, we
hope you will consider giving
back to your most dedicated
students by nominating them for
the award. 4
5
The AYCO Young Leaders Scholarships have been announced, and the winners are Tony from My Nose Turns
Red Circus in Ohio and Althea from Circus Spire Youth Troupe in California. Both youths are celebrated in
their community for being helpful, enthusiastic, positive, and passionate about circus. We asked the adults
who nominated each of them to explain what qualities make Tony and Althea award-winning leaders.
Jill and Matthew Forsthoefel
explained how gracious Tony has
been in sharing his knowledge
and skills with students and
audiences as a volunteer. Tony
has demonstrated circus skills
at Cincinnati Children's Hospital
and volunteered for benefit
fundraisers for children’s
cancer research and Cincinnati
Artswave campaign events. The
Forsthoefels described how
Tony empowers his students by
engaging them with circus skills
and positive feedback, “When
performing and teaching, Tony
shows enthusiasm and a passion
for the art that he is sharing. He
inspires the people around him
to strive to improve no matter
how simple or difficult the skill.
He finds great joy in other’s
accomplishments.”
Althea was nominated by her
coach of four years, Jaron
Hollander, who described his
student’s initiative: “Althea is
constantly interested in circus.
She takes every opportunity
to incorporate circus into her
school work. She is a member of
the HUP Squad and constantly
networks with young circus
artists coast to coast. Althea
is also proposing a discussion
workshop for the AYCO festival.”
She empowers her fellow
students by being a leader.
Jaron explained,”because
of Althea's example and
encouragement, the younger
students joyfully train and
encourage each other. I have
watched this spread to the
new students year after year.
I believe her influence will last
long after she graduates.”
ACE and the AYCO would like
to congratulate these young
leaders and their instructors
who work to promote, innovate,
and develop circus activity in
T H R O W
A
S T A F F
P A R T Y
It may seem simple, but a little festivity goes a long
way!
G I V E
Y O U R
L I B R A R Y
A
B O O S T
A new book about circus, movement, education,
or anatomy and physiology provides inspiration
for lesson plans and new creations. If you don’t
have a library, set aside a corner with a shelf and
a sign-out sheet and set those books out.
G O
S E E
L I V E
A
P E R F O R M A N C E
There is nothing that motivates artists and educators
more than seeing live performance—any genre will
do! Everyone will be buzzing with ideas and opinions
when you return to the studio.
B R I N G
I N
A
G U E S T
T E A C H E R
F O R
S T A F F
Invite a guest teacher that will help staff try something new
together and inspire curriculum ideas. Think modern dance,
mask making, or improv comedy.
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B R I N G
S T A F F
'Nuff said!
C H O C O L A T E
T O
M E E T I N G S
22
PHOTO: CIRCUS HARMONY