Hundreds of elementary students swarmed the SPH building last week to watch the University's Gymkana Troupe perform their high-flying stunts and gymnastics. Even more importantly, they were here to listen to the Troupe promote a healthy lifestyle.
“Students teaching students to live drug free, alcohol free and tobacco free by example is the heart of Gymkana's message,” said Coach Scott Welsh. “A high flying, high energy gymnastic and acrobatic performance is a medium the children will understand and be engaged in.”
The Gymkana Troupe practices and performs in the School of Public Health building, as both share the mission of healthy lifestyles.
The Troupe consists of University of Maryland, College Park students of varying athletic abilities who all make the same pledge: to live 100 percent drug free. The Troupe engages its child audiences with ballet stunts atop ladders and stacks of chairs, and dance, gymnastics and juggling routines. Gymkana takes its show to schools throughout Maryland, and it offers camps and classes for children to learn gymnastics over the summer.
The performance was a dress rehearsal for Gymkana’s annual finale exhibition, scheduled for 7 p.m., April 9 and 10 at the Comcast Center on campus. Tickets are available at the door. For presale ticket information and group ticket sales e-mail Coach Scott Welsh, or call at 301-405-2566.
Seat Pleasant and Bradbury Heights elementary schools attended the show as part of the City of Seat of Pleasant/University of Maryland Health Partnership, initiated in 1999 by the City of Seat Pleasant, the Department of Public and Community Health of the School of Public Health, and the University. Paint Branch Elementary School visited as part of the Center for Educational Partnership, formed by the University and the Maryland Multicultural Youth Center (MMYC) in 2006.
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