MicheLee Puppets, Inc.
Orlando, FL

Written by Tracey Connor, Executive Director

Kids Take the Challenge

For many children, elementary school is experienced as an exciting time of learning new skills, having fun with friends, and finding out about themselves.  Sadly, for other children, school is a stressful place where they feel like they cannot measure up to the others or they are teased for being different. 

Blake was different from his classmates.  He could not run or even walk very fast.  His movements were jerky and unsure because of his cerebral palsy.  At recess no one would pick him for their teams.  Although he had a good attitude and cheered for the others from the sidelines, he longed to be included and to run and kick the ball like his friends.  The other kids liked Blake, but no one ever thought that maybe he could play or that they could change the rules so that he could be included.  They did not know what he was capable of until the day they saw him hopping on one foot in a relay race during the EXTREME Health Challenge show at school!

As the fourth and fifth grade students filed into the school cafeteria that morning, excited whispers created a buzz throughout the room.  The place was transformed into a television sound stage complete with bright lights and a flashy set, just like their parents’ favorite TV game shows.  The children watched intently as the show technician did light and sound checks.  When he invited them to smile and wave at our imaginary cameras, the kids enthusiastically responded, sure that the cameras must be there somewhere!  “This is exciting,” one child exclaimed, “we’re going to be on TV!”

Blake watched as the tech began recruiting students in the audience to participate in the show.  He knew that no one ever picked him, so when the tech looked his way and smiled, Blake fidgeted nervously in his seat.  “Would you like to be in the show?” he was asked.  “Me?”  He could hardly believe it but happily grabbed the laminated card that was his cue for when to come on stage.

Suddenly the house lights dimmed and colorful stage lights danced around the cafeteria and the set.  The spunky and athletic show host, Fuchsia, cartwheeled across the stage to the driving beats of techno music.  Zany puppet contestants answered quiz questions about nutrition and exercise while students cheered and called out answers.  They laughed as two teachers tried to hula hoop on stage while coming up with ideas of physical activities that could be done during commercials.

Blake and another student were finally called on stage to compete in the “Super Label Challenge” in which they raced on one foot to pluck words like “Total Fat” or “Vitamins” off a giant nutrition label.  To everyone’s amazement, Blake hopped right along and won the game! 

In another seat, Chris watched intently.  His classmates treated him differently too because he was obese.  He had even endured the insensitive comments of his bus driver who told him to “Hurry up, Fatty!”  Chris had been feeling so badly about himself that he had stopped eating breakfast because he thought he was “too fat.”

As the EXTREME Health Challenge went on, Chris listened as puppet “Rico B. Kuhl” smoothly talked about how cool it is to drink water; and “Zak Nosepiku” proclaimed that you need to exercise every day.  He cheered along with “Kirk” and “Babe” that kids have the power to make healthy choices.  Chris enjoyed the puppets, but he was especially drawn toward our big, burly puppeteer, Flyn.  He watched as Flyn danced and ran around the stage with energy and enthusiasm.  Later, Chris told his mom, “That guy was big like me and he felt good about himself.”  He went on to tell her his plan to make healthier choices. “Mom, I can eat less junk food.  And I can drink water instead of soda.  And I can exercise every day.” 

And what about Blake?  Following the show, teary-eyed teachers rushed to the stage to tell our performers that “now the other kids won’t be afraid to let him play with them on the playground,” and “I wish his parents could have seen this!”  No longer on the sidelines, Blake, along with his classmates, had accepted the EXTREME Health Challenge!

For 22 years MicheLee Puppets has helped children cope with life’s challenges through issue-based puppet shows that empower children by teaching them respect for self and others, personal responsibility, and healthy life choices. 

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