PHOTO BY JENNIFER COLTON
A trio of clowns delighted students at McNary Heights Elementary School this week as the “Bloomin’ Buddies” taught them about friendship, confidence and bullying with larger-than-life props, energetic songs, and flying balloons.
Students in kindergarten through fifth grade attended performances with the clowns to learn how to develop friendships and respect each other. The elementary school funded the program with money raised during the annual spring carnival. Each year, McNary teachers organize and run the carnival then use the proceeds on programs to benefit the entire school population, according to McNary Vice Principal Rick Cotterell.
Near the end of the performance, Cotterell and school counselor Stephanie Williams Strege were named honorary clowns, complete with round, red clown noses.
“Bloomin’ Buddies” is an educational clown program Yakima-based Kaleidoscope Konnections.
