Westchester Circus Arts Returns to Washington Irving

Fifth grade students at Washington Irving Intermediate (W.I.) briefly joined the circus to obtain new and exciting skills. The Westchester Circus Arts, founded by Hilary Sweeney, headed over to W.I. the first week in March to teach students that anything is possible if you’re willing to try new things. Students learned how to juggle, walk a tightrope, and stilt walking, just to name a few.

Ms. Sweeney, an aerialist, created Westchester Circus Arts more than 20 years ago as a way for individuals to immerse themselves in the unique performing art. Over the past several years Ms. Sweeney and her husband Carlo Pellegrini, along with their group of circus professionals, visited W.I. to teach students what the circus is all about.

“Learning circus skills builds confidence in kids, it encourages them to do something they might not have done before,” said Ms. Sweeney. “Our instructors create this safe and fun environment for students to push their limits. They learn coordination skills and new ways of moving. It’s for personal growth, it helps get them out of their shells a little bit.”

Lara Vivolo is a PE & Health Educator at the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns and welcomed The Westchester Circus Arts into her class and assists with organizing and helping the coaches. There are several different stations that the students can choose from. They then hone in on the one they find most appealing and practice with the professionals for their final act.

“They work with the circus professionals and the fifth graders get to practice what interests them based on what the artists bring,” said Ms. Vivolo. “They have tumbling and gymnastics and it’s amazing to see how they can use their own body weight to perform. It’s also wonderful to see how they help each other.”

The fifth graders worked hard all week practicing for their big performance. They were all smiles as they showed off their new skills in front of the third and fourth grade students at W.I.