Hi, today i will be talking about the highlight of my summer!!!
In the past week I have been at the IJA, watching shows or practicing juggling. Yes, I did learn how to juggle!
The past president of IJA (Bill Barr) found a video of my pen pal Justin visiting me in Fort Wayne to see the Buddy Benches at my school. He was excited because the IJA convention was coming to Fort Wayne. He loved what I was doing and was inspired by the kindness, buddy benches and recycling. He asked if I would speak at their benefit show. And then he and the IJA committee decided to name an award after me and I would be the first recipient. Now every year someone will get the “International Jugglers Association Sammie Vance Youth Civic Achievement Award.”
On Tuesday night, Bill and a few other jugglers presented the award to me up on the stage of the Embassy. It is a very cool award!!! I also gave a speech that night.
That morning I also gave a speech at the Boys and Girls Club for the Benefit show. I also did a workshop a few days later to explain the Buddy Bench project and try to inspire others to make a difference. I had plastic caps for the jugglers to try to juggle and they did! They even juggled the caps around me.
I had a few people teach me how to juggle. Bennett was one of my favorites. He showed me how to use juggling balls ans rings. Rings are my favorite.🤹♀️ I also got to meet Jon Wee, he is a cool guy! He was a finalist on America’s Got Talent. He gave me and my siblings some tips.
This was an awesome group of people. I hope I can come next year.
It was a really fun week. I will never forget it! Here are some pictures. Be back soon, I have to practice juggling(;
This is a picture of Jon Wee, Tuey Wilson and me.
(Jon Wee, Me, Tuey Wilson)
this is Bill Barr and me and my award
my award
Bennett teaching me the rings
David Cain showed me how to bounce juggle
they collected caps for me (we will be giving them to the Boys and Girls Club because they are doing project now!!) The IJA gave me a check so that they will be able to get their buddy bench for free!
me and some of the jugglers at the Boys and Girls Club
I made the paper!
Mom and I at our Workshop “Dream It Do It- Inspiring Others”
Giving my speech at the Embassy Theater after receiving my award! The lights were really bright