NEWS

Storytelling Olympics

Students from ages seven to seventeen will travel to Fresno and Hanford from as far as North Carolina , Florida , Ohio , and other states to showcase at the National Youth Storytelling Olympics on April 2 and 3 at 7 p.m.

Out of hundreds and thousands of videos from local, regional and national committees, 14 youngsters were chosen for their excellence in the art and their potential to be an ambassador for the nation that is to be determined in Fresno .

Besides the two performances open to the public, these students will tour local schools in Hanford and Visalia as well as a unique show at the Clovis Library on Saturday, April 3, at 10 a.m. and then venturing to Yosemite National Park on Sunday.

"These events are not to be missed," said Executive Director Kevin Cordi , "These students are exceptional.  As a professional storyteller and teacher for over 15 years, I have seen hundreds and thousands of students and adult tellers, and these students' talents and abilities belie their years."

Stories range from Shakespeare, Kipling , classic folk tales and original pieces.  Even the well-known "Wide Mouth Frog" has a twist from Jeremy Evans, 15, from Florida , with his skill at the jaw harp.  Belinda Fotu , 14, from Utah , will share stories of her Tongan heritage on how her people acquired fire. Other youth have gained permission from authors to tell their stories. Janet Imrick , 13, from North Carolina , has author Marilyn Kaye's blessing to tell "The Real Tooth Fairy."

"When you come to the evening concert you will be amazed at the vast ranges of these talented youth storytellers," said Cordi . "They have traveled from all over the nation just to share stories here in the Central Valley . This is an event that everyone who has an interest in kids or stories should plan to attend."

The Friday concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Hanford High Presentation Center while the Saturday performance is in the Wahlberg Recital Hall in the Music Building of Fresno State.  General admission is $5, with discounts for student, seniors and Boy Scouts.

During their visit, the finalists and their companions, including families, coaches and sponsors, will have the opportunity to hear National Storyteller and Puppeteer Randall McGee, as well as noted storyteller and Fresno State professor, Glenn DeVoogd .  These workshops are being co-sponsored by Dr. Imelda Basurto in the LEE Department of the Kremen School of Education and Human Development.

"Even though we downplay the idea of competition, we have torchbearers in each age category and one for the overall," said Cordi .  A torchbearer is someone that displays exceptional talent and represents that age group while the grand torchbearer is the national ambassador for youth storytelling.  The grand torchbearer along with a parent are flown an all-expense paid trip to the Smoky Mountain Storytelling Festival in Pigeon Forge, home of Dollywood and one of the key sponsors of the Olympics.  Other students from each year have received invitations to tell at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough , Tenn. , which has attendance of 16,000 plus.

The Department of Literacy and Early Education at Fresno State , Voices Across America Youth Storytelling Project, East Tennessee State University , and the Office of Special Events in Pigeon Forge sponsor the event.  The Fresno Library Systems and the Boy Scouts of America Sequoia Council also give support.

For more information about the National Youth Storytelling Olympics, contact Kevin Cordi at 587-0309 or go to www.youthstorytelling.com or Imelda Basurto at 8-0285.