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January 4 – 17, 2014
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Local author faces her fears, publishes her first children’s book BY ALISON STANTON
When Melissa Heye was a little girl, she told herself that one day, she would write a children’s book. “I’ve just always felt for children and what they go through,” Heye says. “And when people asked me what I wanted to do, I would always say I wanted to be a children’s counselor.” As an adult, Heye has achieved both of her goals. The Chandler resident has worked for years as a behavior therapist, specializing in working with children. Heye recently published her first children’s book, too. Called “Fearless Beans,” the book tells a gentle tale of a sweet little white dog named Beans, who wasn’t too sure about his first day of doggie day care. Although the picture book is meant for younger children who are starting preschool or kindergarten, Heye says its powerful and reassuring message can help everybody—including herself— to face their fears. “The message of the book, as simple as it is, is that every child has a gift or a talent, and I wanted children to feel like they could bring that part of themselves to day care,” she says.’ “And at the end of the day, knowing that we are coming home to a loving person is how we are able to be fearless, and how we can accomplish things in life.” Heye was inspired to write the book
HELPING KIDS TO FEEL BRAVE: Melissa Heye, shown here with her husband, Paul, and their dog, Beans, says writing her first children’s book, “Fearless Beans,” helped her to overcome her own fears about becoming a published author. Submitted photo
when she introduced her own dog—a 5-year-old Bichon Frise also named Beans—to doggie day care. “I felt similar feelings as when I brought my son to preschool for the first time over 25 years earlier,” she says. Soon, Heye says, she began to dream about the book, picturing the entire story and its illustrations in her sleep. When she met with an illustrator who coincidentally drew the same images
she had seen in her dreams, Heye says she figured it was a sign that the book was meant to be. “Still, fear and doubt would enter my head, and I wasn’t sure if I should write the book,” she says. Just as Beans learns that he is special and is able to face his fears at day care, Heye found the confidence she needed to write and publish her first book. “Whenever I felt doubt, I would think about my intentions behind writing the book, which were to be able to read to and connect with kids, and donate part of the proceeds to animal charities,” she says. “From this little children’s book, I learned lessons about myself.” In the short time “Fearless Beans” has been on the market, Heye says sales are going very well. “It’s been better than I expected, but the best thing has been the positive response that I’ve been getting.” Heye has visited several schools recently, reading her book to children and donating several copies to Title I schools. When she can, she will bring Beans to events, where he is always a big hit with children. “‘Fearless Beans’ has opened my world up to wonderful people and I have never been happier. The past couple months have been filled with events that focus on children and animals,” Heye says, adding that achieving her goal of becoming a
children’s book author has left her feeling extremely fulfilled. “I can’t believe how many times I didn’t do this book because of fear, but oh my gosh, I’m so glad I did.” For more information, visit www. heyebeansbooks.com or www.facebook. com/heyebeansbooks Alison Stanton is a freelance writer who lives in the East Valley. She can be reached at alison@santansun.com.
READING IN THE PARK: Melissa Heye and her dog, Beans, recently attended an author reading and book signing at Veterans Oasis Park in Chandler. Two dollars of every book sold that day went to 2nd Chance Rescue. Submitted photo
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Seton senior earns President’s Volunteer Service Award
Chandler Rotary Club sponsoring talent show
Claire Evans, a senior at Seton Catholic Preparatory, has earned the President’s Volunteer Service Award for completing 194.25 hours of community service through Hugh O’Brian Youth’s (HOBY’s) Leadership for Service Program. HOBY is recognized worldwide as one of the nation’s foremost youth leadership development organizations. Claire completed her community service hours through a combination of volunteering at local organizations, attending HOBY Community Leadership Workshops and participating in clubs at Seton Catholic Prep. As a volunteer, she has touched local organizations such as St. Mary’s Food Bank, Desert Rivers Audubon, Temple Emanuel Preschool and the Holy Cross Catholic Church youth choir in Mesa. At Seton, Claire is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, Mentors Club, Sentinel Ambassadors, Spanish National Honor Society, Art Club and Red Kettle Club. “Claire has not only been recognized for her tireless service at the highest level from our nation’s president, she is an exceptional role model in bringing our mission to life here at Seton of leadership and loving service to others,”
The Chandler Rotary Club is sponsoring a talent show open to Chandler students in fifth through eighth grades. Tryouts are free. There are two of them, but you only need to come to one, at Willis Jr. High School, 401 S. McQueen Rd., 6:30-9:00 p.m. Tue. Jan. 21 and Mon. Jan. 27. This is a way for Chandler students to display their talents in four different categories: vocal solo or group, instrumental solo or group,
says Patricia Collins, principal of Seton Catholic Preparatory. Along with HOBY and the President’s Volunteer Service Award, the Corporation for National & Community Service and the Points of Light Institute have certified and recognized her hours of service. “Claire has shared in the spirit of kindness and warmth of community through an immeasurable contribution of time and effort,” said Javier La Fianza, HOBY’s president and CEO, in a letter for Claire’s college admission officer. Claire plans to attend the University of Arizona in the fall 2014. Seton Catholic Preparatory is a coeducational, college preparatory high school open to students of all faiths and dedicated to academic excellence, leadership and loving service to others. Located in Chandler, Seton Catholic Prep has served East Valley families since 1954, delivering on a rigorous college preparatory curriculum and abundant opportunity for extracurricular activities that inspire practical and vocational interests. For more information, visit setoncatholic.org.
dance solo or group and art. Contestants chosen for the show will compete at 7 p.m. Fri., Feb 21, at the Chandler Center for the Arts with a chance to win a $100 grand prize. There is a $6 admission fee to the show at the Chandler Center for the Arts. Registration forms are available on the Chandler Rotary website, chandler-rotary.org.
Insurance company sponsoring kids cooking challenge Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is looking for great-tasting, kid-inspired side dish recipes for the 2014 Walk On! Kids Cooking Challenge. Children 9 to 12 years old, living anywhere in Arizona with a healthy and tasty side dish recipe, are invited to enter the contest. Children, with the help of their parents, can submit recipes through Wed., Jan. 22. The top five recipes will be selected based on nutrition, taste and originality. The recipe must be an original recipe for a hot or cold side dish, include at least
one fruit and/or vegetable and be able to be cooked within 20 minutes without including prep time to be considered. Five kids will be chosen as finalist and invited to present their recipes to a panel of judges at a public event on Sat., Feb. 1. The recipes will be posted online following event for the public to vote at walkonaz. com. The grand prize winner will receive a bike. All finalists will receive a fun prize. For complete contest details and to submit a recipe visit walkonaz.com.
YOUTH CHRONICLES
Nathan Walker of Chandler has been named to the fall 2013 Dean’s List at Marietta College in Marietta, OH. To qualify, a full-time student must complete at least 15 credit hours with a grade point average between 3.5 and 3.74. Nathan, a graduate of Hamilton High School, is majoring in petroleum engineering.
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January 4 – 17, 2014
Gymnastics meet springs into action
Free practice test for juniors, seniors
Members of Chandler’s Gold Medal Gymnastics, owned by former Olympic gymnast Amanda Borden, will participate in the Classic Rock Gymnastics Invitational Fri., Jan. 31, through Sun., Feb. 2, at the Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. 3rd St., downtown Phoenix. Hosted by the Arizona Sunrays Gymnastics & Dance Center of Phoenix, the event is one of the largest gymnastics meets in the U.S., with 1,500 of the best female gymnasts from around the United States competing and showcasing their gymnastics skills. The “ultimate gymnastics meet” will feature an all-girls competition,
SanTan Sun-area high school juniors and seniors can take advantage of a free SAT or ACT practice test Sat., Jan. 18, at Tutor House Tutoring Services’ Chandler or Tempe locations. Testing is held from 9:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. with registration from 9 to 9:15 a.m. Students should bring a calculator to the session. Taking a practice test is a way for students to find strengths and weaknesses in a low-pressure environment and become familiar with test formats, question types, timing and content. Test results and analysis are
Levels 2 through Elite; live bands; entertainment; shopping; and more. Admission is $20 per day for adults or $40 for an all-weekend adult pass, and $15 per day for children 12 and younger, seniors and military, or $35 for an allweekend pass. Included in the ticket price is one free 90-minute “open gym” session per child at the Arizona Sunrays Gymnastics Center, 3110 E. Thunderbird Rd., Phoenix; participants must show ticket stub to come to a free open gym. For more information, visit classicrockinvitational.com or arizonasunrays.com, or call 602-992-5790.
Kids: Win $15 gift card from Changing Hands Bookstore Students who either live in Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek or surrounding areas or who attend area schools can win $15 gift cards from Changing Hands Bookstore, thanks to a partnership between the bookseller and the SanTan Sun News. This ongoing, monthly promotion awards a $15 Changing Hands gift card to every youth whose article, story, poem, essay, editorial, book review, photo or illustration is chosen to be printed in the SanTan Sun Kids Opportunity section, while supplies last. The Kids Opportunity section is printed in the Youth Section of the first paper of the month, each month. The best news is that even though only one to three submissions are printed
Whitening •
per month, all good submissions are held in a file to be printed in future issues. So if an entry doesn’t win this month, it could win next month—or even the month after that. To enter, visit SanTanSun.com, click on Youth and then on Student Writer Permission Slip to download a submissionpermission slip. Complete the form and have a parent sign it so the paper has permission to print the entry and the author or artist’s byline. Then, email the submission-permission slip and writing or artwork to news@SanTanSun. com as a Word file, if writing, or JPEG, if art, or pasted into the email.
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given at a separately scheduled conference. The free practice test is offered in addition to Tutor House’s regular SAT and ACT prep programs and a wide range of oneon-one and small group tutoring for students in grades K through 12. Tutor House Tutoring Services’ family-owned and –operated learning centers are located at 100 W. Boston St., Suite 4, Chandler, or 6139 S. Rural Rd., Suite 102, Tempe. To reserve a seat, visit TutorHouseAZ.com; to learn more, call 480-857-1222 or email tutoring@ tutorhouseaz.com.
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January 4 – 17, 2014
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The ‘international child’ … a 21st century paradigm BY NEW VISTAS CENTER FOR EDUCATION
Instant forms of communications and rapid international travel have made the world much smaller in the 21st century. For preschool student, Lucia Manelli, this reality could not be truer. As a student of Italian heritage at New Vistas Center for Education, Lucia can just as easily call Argentina or the United States her “home” because she lives in both countries. The daughter of highly educated parents, Lucia represents a paradigm shift in what it means to be a child in the 21st century: multinational, multilingual, technologically agile and internationally mobile. As is customary with the Manellis, once a year they depart for Argentina not only to visit family but also to travel and work. The challenge, however, is how to keep Lucia and her sister advancing academically during their prolonged absence from school. Lucia’s father, Alejandro Manelli, ASU economics professor, says, “With a little creativity coupled with today’s technology, traveling half way around the world has become easier. Every environment, every culture, and every experience holds great potential for learning.” Armed with a tablet and a laptop, Lucia never missed a lesson in Tammy Myers’ academic preschool class. She continued to practice math, phonics,
INTERNATIONAL CHILD: Lucia Manelli calls Argentina and Chandler her home. Submitted photo
alphabetizing, geography, writing and reading. She could ask her teacher questions, go over homework and visit with her classmates. She chronicled her daily experiences via Skype and answered her classmates’ questions face-to-face about what life was like in Argentina. Mercedes, Lucia’s mother, observes: “New Vistas seems to attract children from many different countries. Their families value education highly and the school’s international quality provides an environment of learning that goes well beyond a set curriculum.”
Carol Elias, director of New Vistas, states: “Children and families who share vast and varied exposure to the world, naturally gravitate to one another because of shared experiences.” Mercedes agrees. “Five-year-olds today are more globally exposed, hence, they naturally point out differences between places such as reversed seasons between hemispheres, time differences, contrast between cities and lifestyles, etc. Learning within an international environment goes way beyond languages, history, and facts. It enhances a child’s ability to observe, analyze and form deeper relationships.” Myers smiles as she recalls how the entire class surprised Lucia with an impromptu “Happy Birthday” song delivered at the speed of the Internet. “How awesome that 19 little 5-yearolds living a world apart can exchange funny stories, pose questions and share experiences from ‘classrooms’ without walls and countries with invisible borders. The world is smaller.” Below the surface of this profile lies multiple languages, loving parents, structured yet nurturing teachers, and an education which advances international understanding amid rigorous academic instruction. At the heart of the 450plus students, coming from at least 38 different countries (and 44 states in the
United States) attending classes at New Vistas, is a deeply loving community of families bound by an international curricula of rigorous academics nurturing each child’s personal best. And unbeknownst to the children, they teach adults to hold special relationships warmly, live openly without hesitation, and remain unashamedly curious about everything. They remind adults to be enthusiastic about life, remain eager to learn, and to openly embrace change. This is the new paradigm of childhood. Celebrating its 35th anniversary, New Vistas Center for Education, named a Top 10 School by Johns Hopkins University CTY, is a private school located at 670 N. Arizona Ave., Suite 35, Chandler.
CHECKING IN: Lucia Manelli Skypes with classmates, as well as teacher Tammy Myers. Submitted photo
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Museum seeks $12K through Kickstarter campaign The Arizona Museum for Youth Friends Inc., a nonprofit organization charged with raising funds for the Arizona Museum for Youth, is asking the community to donate to its $12,500 Kickstarter campaign. Funds generated through Sun., Jan. 26, will help build “The HUB,” an engaging, hands-on space that will foster creativity in the upcoming, newly rebranded i.d.e.a. Museum at 35 N. Robson, Mesa. Every donation will count as this is an all-ornothing campaign. Kickstarter projects are only funded if the entire goal is met. If it falls even a dollar short, the museum receives nothing (credit cards will not be charged). Donations are tax deductible. For more information, view the Kickstarter video at arizonamuseumforyouth.com or kickstarter.com/projects/1532568020/ the-hub-a-new-interactive-creative-spaceat-idea-m. “We need you, members of the community to join us in making a donation in order to make this space a reality,” says Carmen Guerrero of the AMY Friends. “Your support will help children and families of all backgrounds and abilities achieve their dreams and aspirations by helping lay a foundation which fosters their creativity, imagination and problemsolving skills.” The HUB is just one aspect of the new museum brand. It is called a hands-on space where patrons and children can
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unleash their creativity. There are more than 10 different experiences planned in this space. “Kickstarter is a great way for the community to get involved in helping us provide creative opportunities for everyone,” said Sunnee O’Rork, AMY executive director. “Only 50% of public schools in Arizona offer some type of creative, artistic opportunity as part of their standard curriculum. Creativity is listed as the single most attribute of the future, according to an IBM survey of 1,500 CEOs worldwide. By backing this project, you will help us ensure that the creativity in all of us continues to thrive.” This is the first Kickstarter campaign by a nonprofit for a museum in the Valley. The $12,500 is part of a $100,000 third, public match, led by the Arizona Museum for Youth Friends nonprofit in response to a lead gift of $100,000 by visionary John Whiteman and $100,000 match to his contribution by Mesa toward the overall rebrand initiative goal of $300,000. Donors (also known as “backers”) will receive awards, including free tickets to the new i.d.e.a. Museum exclusive VIP rebrand launch on Thu., Feb. 6. The i.d.e.a. Museum is scheduled for launch to the public on Fri., Feb. 7. For more information about the Kickstarter program, call Lindsay Hochhalter at 480-644-5564. For general information, call 480-644-2468.
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TROPHY TIME
FIERCE COMPETITORS: Students from Z-Ultimate Self Defense Studios in Chandler placed second in overall point total at the recent Southwest Regional Tournament of Champions, missing first place by only six points. Children, teen and adult students competed in at least one of three events: sparring, Kata and weapon forms. During the month of January, Z-Ultimate is ringing in the New Year with a special reduced rate program for all new students. For more information, contact Z-Ultimate at chandler@zultimate.com or Z-Ultimate Chief Instructor Brad Bennett at 480-895-4466. Submitted photo
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CHANDLER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Jan. 6: Teacher Inservice Workday; no school Jan. 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday; no school
working students, staff and parents for helping ACP-Oakland earn this recognition. —Sara Holguin
Carlson Champions
Arizona College Prep – Oakland Knights Information Night – ACP Oakland hosts a parent information night at 6 p.m. Thu., Jan. 16, in the school cafeteria. All interested families are encouraged to attend. Priority Placement – Applications for enrollment in the group Priority Placement Testing for the 2014-15 school year are due by Wed., Jan. 17. Applications can be downloaded from the school website at cusd80.com/ ACPOakland. Testing is held from 8 a.m. to noon Sat., Jan. 25, at the ACP Oakland campus at 191 W. Oakland St., Chandler. For more information, contact the front office at 480-224-3930. Knights in action – Sixth grader Porter O’Doherty won first place at the Regional Competition for the FIRST Robotics Program. The Math Club will defend its first-place team title in the upcoming Chandler-Gilbert Community College Excellence in Math Junior High Competition on Sat., Jan. 25. Kudos – ACP Oakland has been recognized as a 2013 National Center for Educational Achievement Higher Performing School. Thanks to the hard-
QUEEN BEES: Carlson Elementary Spelling Bee runner-up Stephanie Robinson, a fifth grader, joins champ Anna Brandon, a sixth grader, and Principal Leo Schlueter for awards and congratulations. Anna will advance to the District Bee in January. Submitted photo
www.SanTanSun.com Hull Heroes
Arctic Carnival – The Arctic Carnival will be Sat., Jan. 25. Many volunteers will be needed for this exciting event; check out the Hull Elementary School website PTO tab or Facebook/ HullElementary for volunteer sign-ups coming soon, or email hullptopres@ gmail.com for more information. Art smart – Hull students have the opportunity to submit their artwork to be displayed during the winter carnival in January. Complete rules and information are coming home with students. News flash – “Like” Hull Elementary on Facebook for up-to-date PTO information and check out the PTO blog at hullelementary.blogspot.com. —Kristen Boyd
PLANNING: Members of the Jacobson Elementary School Dads Club hang out while planning the many projects they have planned for the school. Submitted photo
Weinberg Wranglers
Jacobson Jets
—Lora Robinson BEE GOOD: Weinberg Elementary Principal Don Shelley stands with student Brandon Murphy, Dean of Students Shirley Mathew and Brandon’s teacher Angela Stephens. Brandon, a fifth grader, won Weinberg’s 2013-14 Spelling Bee and will represent Weinberg at the District Spelling Bee Fri., Jan. 17. Submitted photo
CTA-Independence Hawks Calendar Jan. 8: Report cards go home Jan. 13: Open enrollment begins Jan. 13-24: Student Council Food Drive Jan. 14-15: Variety Show Auditions —Wendi Olson
HAVING FUN AND LEARNING: Fifth-grade students at Jacobson Elementary School enjoy three great days at Science Camp. Submitted photo
Basha High Bears Music notes – Alliya Dulaney, Valerie Ngo and Katie Wilkinson, eighth graders
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www.SanTanSun.com at Basha High’s Accelerated Middle School, have been chosen to participate in the eighth grade All State Band in the clarinet instrument class. Two other AMS students, Kayla Tran, clarinet, and Seth Wuthrich, trumpet, qualified as statewide alternates. All State Band members will attend a festival and workshop on March 22, where professional musicians will provide instruction and predetermined music will be provided to students to perform at the conclusion of the festival. High honors – Basha High softball coach Scott Hoffmeyer has been chosen as the National All American Chairman for the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. For the last three years, Hoffmeyer has been the Western Regional All American chairman. Setting standards – The Air Force Junior Reserve officers’ Training Corps (AFJROTC) instructors and cadets of Basha High earned an overall unit assessment score of “Exceeds Standards,” the highest rating attainable, during their most recent unit evaluation. The unit is run by Col. David Guthrie and Master Sgt. Michael Cullum with the support of BHS Principal Ken James. —Carol Skocypec
Knox Knights Calendar Feb 4: PTO meeting, 3:45 p.m. Feb 22: Celebration of Science & Engineering Night & Science Fair —Jacqueline Bartrim
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Backyard bouncing begins with safety BY TRACY HOUSE
The kids bounce, jump and bound through the air, soaring above the ground and giggling with excitement on the newest present from the holidays – a trampoline. They are a lot of fun, but if not used properly they can be dangerous and cause, often avoidable, injuries. According to information published by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) it is estimated there were 94,900 emergency room treated injuries associated with trampolines in 2012. Major reasons for injuries include colliding with another person on the trampoline; improper landing while jumping or doing stunts; falling or jumping off the trampoline; and falling on the trampoline springs or frame. Keeping the kids safe and still allowing them to have fun means taking precautions and implementing rules for trampoline safety. Scott Barclay, ASU men’s gymnastics coach since 1979 and the owner of Aspire Kids Sports Center, says there are some steadfast rules for backyard trampolines. “The number one rule on tramp is one person on a tramp at a time,” Barclay advises. “A study has been done and there are more kids in the ER because of trampoline and the number one reason is two kids on a trampoline at a time.” He explains there is a lot of force as one child is jumping up and the other is coming down. “In our gym the number one rule is one person on the tramp at
NEED!!!
<<With Photo: Scott, Josh and Jarrett>> <<Caption>>
TEACHING TRAMPOLINE : Scott Barclay, left, ASU men’s gymnastics coach and owner of Aspire Kids Sports Center in Chandler, Josh Browne and Jarrett Jensen. Barclay coaches athletes from around the Valley in trampoline. STSN photo by Tracy House a time. If we adhere to that, we’ve taken care of 90% of our injuries.” A second precaution Barclay suggests is to put the trampoline in the ground. The next way he says kids get hurt is falling off the trampoline. If the trampoline cannot be put in the ground Barclay says, “The nets are the next best safety issue to have. They’re good to have. If you’re going to have a trampoline above ground, have nets. It keeps kids from
falling off.” The third point Barclay makes about having a trampoline is that children should have some type of progressive education on trampoline. He suggests taking classes, reading books or viewing videos for proper technique and skill development. He says people get hurt by doing things above their ability. SEE BOUNCING PAGE 36
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“I would say get a good solid basic foundation of what tramp is so you have a respect for it and like anything, the better you are at it the more fun it is,” Barclay mentions. “Tramp is so much fun when it’s safe.” Barclay explains, “There’s 100 things you can do (on a trampoline) before you ever have to flip over feet to feet.” In addition to the progression of skills, Barclay mentions that children who take classes also learn how to fall to minimize getting injured. “I think it’s so important to get instruction,” he says. “You get a little respect for that trampoline because it can be dangerous but it can also be very fun. And it can also be very healthy.” Barclay mentions that bouncing on a trampoline tightens the core muscles. “For somebody to bounce for just five minutes is probably one of the best workouts they can have. You don’t have to flip or do anything. Just bounce. Every time you land you have to tighten your core.” “It’s so important,” Barclay urges of trampoline safety. “It’s dear to me because it gives a bad name to trampoline when people get hurt. If we can keep them from getting hurt they will enjoy the sport and just the activity of bouncing.” He reiterates, the number one rule, only one person on the trampoline at the time. “It’s a hard rule to follow, but if they stick to it they’ll be a lot safer.” Aspire Kids Sports Center is located at 50 S. Hearthstone Way, Chandler. Visit aspirekidsportscom or call 480-820-3774 for more information. For more information about trampoline safety, go to cpsc.gov. Tracy House is the news editor for SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at tracy@santansun. com.
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Payne teacher bringing Lincoln back BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
With his tall, thin stature, tidy beard, top hat and three-piece suit, Sean Murphy draws attention wherever he goes. Whether it’s in a classroom, a restaurant or an airplane, kids flock to him and adults want their pictures taken with him. For the last five years, Murphy, a teacher at Payne Junior High, has taken advantage of his similarities to Abraham Lincoln, serving as an impersonator/ interpreter. He has spoken to school kids and hobnobbed with politicians. “Kindergarteners are the most fun,” says Murphy, dressed in his finest Lincoln regalia. “They give the big deerin-headlights look. We went to NYPD Pizza and this woman said, ‘I don’t want to offend you, but you kind of look like Abraham Lincoln.’ I’m not offended by that. He may not be the best-looking guy, but I appreciate it.” Some could say that Murphy didn’t chose Lincoln, instead the 16th president chose him. It was fate that the 32-year-old was offered a Lincoln book study through a teachers’ professional development program. “I just got really hooked and obsessed—a healthy obsession of him,” he says with a laugh. Murphy, who bears a tattoo of Lincoln on his arm, never thought about interpreting “The Man Beneath the Hat” until a fellow doppelganger,
LINKING LINCOLN: Sean Murphy, a teacher at Payne Junior High, bears a striking resemblance to President Abraham Lincoln. STSN photo by Sam Nalven
Bill King, pulled him aside during a visit Springfield, Ill., where Lincoln was buried, and suggested he go professional. He has also received advice from Lincoln actor and historian James A. Getty, with whom Murphy had lunch in Gettysburg. He offered very vital insight: “It’s the people who keep you important,” Getty told Murphy. “They’re the reason I have a job.” That resonated with Murphy, who then realized he had a gift. There’s nothing dry about Murphy’s presentation to schools. He and his class sing songs like “I’m Lincoln and I Know
It” and “LincolnBack,” playing off popular tracks by LMFAO and Justin Timberlake, respectively. “It’s all about having fun,” he says. Those who come across Murphy dressed as Lincoln automatically have this trust of him and the late president. He goes out in public wearing his Lincoln garb—like to see the “Lincoln” film starring Daniel Day-Lewis. “All of a sudden you’re iconic,” he says. “They don’t know me, yet they put their arm around me. I think it’s the reverence and the awe. It’s the look on people’s faces and that joy to say you’re Abraham Lincoln.” There is the occasional skeptic, however. During one appearance, a munchkin at SanTan Elementary School told a dressed-in-character Murphy, “You were shot. How are you here if you’re dead?” After much internal deliberation, Murphy said, “‘I was personally chosen to pass on the memory of Abe Lincoln.’ That was enough for him.” Murphy says being Lincoln is “truly what I love and want. Everybody has their rough days, but it’s a dream. That’s my passion. It’s what drives me. Everything I do, I always try to find a way to link it back to Lincoln.” To book Murphy for appearances, visit www.MeetAbeLincoln.com. Christina Fuoco-Karasinski is the editor of the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at christina@santansun.com.
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