‘This is the greatest show on Earth,? said Clear Lake Elementary principal Jim Schwarz, as he finished walking the tightrope.
No, he’s not talking about the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey, he’s talking about the talented students at Clear Lake.
On May 27, Clear Lake students and staff transformed into a giant circus, complete with clowns, jugglers and acrobats. The end of the year extravaganza was made possible thanks to some help from the Livonia-based group Cirque Amongus.
Cirque Amongus is made up of five professional circus artists who take trips to schools in Michigan and teach teamwork through various circus acts. Cirque Amongus is led by Sem Abrahams and his wife Teresa. Teresa is a world champion unicyclist and Sem has taught circus skills to thousands through his Unicycle Sport School in Holland. Other project managers with experience in performing are Roy Kellerman, Josh Dagg and Aristide Abrahams.
After a full day of practice, the students got to perform in an hour-long show for their parents at the end of the day. The show was led by two ring masters and culminated in elaborate circus features like acrobatics and magic tricks. Students balanced their way over the tightropes and showed their strength in human pyramids.
Students wore cool costumes and even clown makeup to get the real circus effect. Unicycles were ridden, balls were juggled and laughs were everywhere as the students strutted their circus skills under the big top.
Watch out parents, your kids just may run away with the circus!
For more information on how to experience Cirque Amongus, visit www.cirqueamongus.com.