Just clowning around

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PRINCETON — If you were in the middle of a body of water and unable to swim, you’d want to see a lifesaver. That’s right. You’d want somebody to throw you a line, rescuing you and saving your life. That lifesaver would be reacting to your unfortunate situation.

But there’s a group of students at Logan Junior High School in Princeton who are being proactive in their efforts to rescue younger students. About 75 seventh- and eighth-grade students take their lifesaving abilities very seriously ... yet they do so by clowning around.

Enter the Logan LifeSaver Clowns ...

With the music playing and a hip-hop to their step, the Logan LifeSavers enter the room wearing a variety of homemade costumes and accessories. Some have a smudge of make-up on their cheeks, while others have donned wigs, large pairs of glasses and other fun items. Their audience — a group of youngsters sitting on the gym floor at the various elementary schools in the area — squeal with excitement as these older students enter the room.

The Logan LifeSavers have spent several months readying themselves for their performances. They’ve developed skits, memorized lines, learned songs and dances. Some have learned how to operate puppets, while others use balloons to tell their stories. Whether it’s a LifeSaver clown, puppeteer or a ballooner, though, each Logan Lifesaver has a message to deliver. They want these younger students to make good choices, and they hope the positive role models they exhibit will help them do so.

“I think that when we go perform skits at the schools, we teach the children how to make positive choices, stay in school, get good grades and help others,” said seventh-grader Savanah Knudsen, 13. “I’ve learned to not be afraid to show people what’s right. When you’re under peer pressure, go to someone like an adult to get help.”

“It’s fun,” added classmate Katherine Pranka, also 13. “It’s fun going around to different schools and making little kids happy. I think that I help littler kids make wise choices. It is important to be a good role model for younger kids.”

And good role models they are. When a Logan student decides they want to be a part of the LifeSaver program, they sign a contact, promising to keep their grades up and be a good role model for others.

“Just performing for the kids and having them look up to you  ... It’s a lot of fun to travel on the bus and go perform for the kids. It makes you feel so happy,” said seventh-grader Linnea Stephens, 13.

“(The little kids) really look up to you, so you have to do a good job showing/telling them how to be a PeaceBuilder. I think it helps kids learn a different perspective,” Stephens continued.

“I think (the little kids) really pay attention to what the LifeSavers say, and they can understand it more when it’s explained in a funny way,” said classmate Taylor Smith, also 13. “Little kids look up to us, so we need to be a good example.”

Teacher Sera Scott is the sponsor for the program, and she praised the Logan LifeSavers for their work ethics. The students spend a great deal of time practicing their skits and lines, hoping to deliver a memorable performance to the children. Not only is she proud of their work, but it makes her happy those in the community get to see the positive aspects of today’s teenagers.

“Our kids are good, and this is what our community needs to see,” Scott said.

In order to deliver that positive message to others in the community, Scott and her LifeSavers have been performing recently for area senior citizens. In February, the LifeSavers put on their 50-minute show at the Bureau County Senior Center, and most recently, the LifeSavers invited those same senior citizens over to Logan Junior High School for a banana split party and several games of Bingo.

“I like performing for the little kids and the senior citizens,” said Smith. “It’s fun to see their reaction. The senior citizens really enjoyed it.”

“The seniors we go to really appreciate us and really like it when we come,” added Stephens.

To learn more about the Logan LifeSavers, contact Scott at (815) 875-6415.