THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 23, 1997 TAG: 9702230176
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAWSON MILLS, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 74 lines
Violence, according to John, Nam and Jason, is like a can of soda. The more you shake it up, the more it explodes. And the more it gets all over everyone, the bigger mess it makes.
What is remarkable about that simple message is the messengers; They're puppets.
The ``Kids on the Block'' puppet troupe, which has for several years been teaching children in Hampton Roads about tolerance and understanding toward those with disabilities, has taken on a new mission. They have become foot soldiers in the war against gangs, violence and racial prejudice.
``The program is called `Alternatives to gangs, violence and racial prejudice, and the importance of self-esteem,' '' said Michelle Prendergast, program services coordinator for United Cerebral Palsy of Southeastern Virginia.
The non-profit agency's volunteer puppeteers have been taking the new program into area schools - and one boy's club - since mid-January, targeting sixth-graders.
Last week, the ``kids'' visited Landstown Middle School in Virginia Beach, where they have been doing two performances each school day since Tuesday and will return Monday. The troupe will perform next at Blair Middle School in Norfolk.
By the end of the month, 1,170 students will have heard the message at 20 performances. The school performances are free.
``I think it's been an overwhelming success,'' said Kathy Prendergast, executive director of United Cerebral Palsy . ``It all started when we received evaluations (of the `Kids on the disability show programs) last year requesting a program on violence, gangs and racial prejudice. We went to the board of UCP and were real fortunate to get funds to purchase additional puppets through grants from the Virginia Beach Foundation, Portsmouth Community Trust and Portsmouth General Hospital Foundation.''
The funds paid for four new puppets and training for the 12 volunteers who would use them.
Michelle Prendergast said the initial performances have received high marks in evaluations returned by school personnel.
``Definitely, the issues are prevalent in this age group - violence, prejudice,'' said Amy Jackson, a sixth-grade teacher at Landstown Middle School. ``It's a good way to introduce it and let the teachers expand upon it in the classroom, in smaller groups.''
The skits, with their ``soda can'' analogies, seem to offer messages the kids can readily understand.
``Some of the reactions of the students are very different. Some are more concerned about violence and some about race,'' said director Prendergast. ``At Hickory Middle, a boy came forward and said he dresses differently and the other kids tease him. It hurts his feelings.''
At Landstown Middle, most of the sixth-graders agreed they liked what they had seen and heard.
``I think it's good,'' said Amber Howell, 11. ``It gave a lot of kids good advice.''
Said Kimberly Harrill, 12: ``I liked the show. I thought it had important advice for kids about bad situations and judging someone they don't know.'' MEMO: The next training session for volunteers interested in working
with the ``Kids on the Block'' puppets will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday at the UCP office, 5690 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach. For
more information, call Michelle Prendergast at 497-7474. ILLUSTRATION: Photos by CHARLIE MEADS photos/The Virginian-Pilot
``The Kids On The Block'' puppet volunteers, from left Travis Hunt,
Brannon Gunn and Mike Borgstrom, work their new puppets, John, Nam
and Jason in a skit offering alternatives to gangs, violence and
racial prejudice. The show also focuses on the importance of
self-esteem.
The troupe is targeting sixth-graders, including Landstown Middle
School students Joshua Billingsley, left, with Emily Snow and
Jenifer Peake.