Conference 2001 Report
The
APS Building of the Arizona Center was the setting of the 3rd International
S.M.I.L.E. Conference, November 16-18, 2001, in Phoenix. The weather was
perfect (low 80's) the sun was shining, and the clowns were ready to learn!
The
APS Building in a photo taken from the courtyard of the
Holiday
Inn Express Hotel. (Photo by Bruce Wall)
What
makes a S.M.I.L.E. Conference such an incredible learning experience? The
Lead instructors and the attendees! The Lead Instructors were professional
magician Samuel Patrick Smith, and
clowns Angel Ocasio & Terrry
Ricketts.
L
to R: Mark Ruffennach (S.M.I.L.E. President) Angel Ocasio, Samuel Patrick Smith,
Terry Ricketts and Bruce Wall (Conference Chair)
The
Conference began on Friday, November 16, 2001, at the APS training facility at
Arizona State University Downtown. We introduced ourselves and took part in Mark
Ruffennach's Alley Antics with incredibly funny results! In particular, no
one who was there is going to forget Mark Lee and Ann Bowers "neighborhood
watch" skit.
Left:
Patty Meagher (pronounced MAR that rhymes with BAR) as the Great Meagherini.
Right: Mark Lee and Ann Bowers doing the Neighborhood Watch Skit!
In
the afternoon, we moved to the APS Corporate Headquarters where we stayed the
rest of the Conference. There was a presentation about S.M.I.L.E., then we
learned about puppets in a hands on class by Debbie "Odessey"
Henry. This was followed by classes on make-up and senior safety. In
the evening, there was a "Three Ring Safety Circus" of balloon
twisting, juggling, and walk arounds. The Dealer's Room opened and we had
our 2nd annual "$15 Every 15 Minute" raffle.
We
had some incredible guests that stopped by! We were honored that former
Ringling Brother Clown Jim Howle stopped by on his way home from the Western
Regional Clown Conference in Laughlin as a guest of Terry Ricketts. This
allowed attendees to have Jim give them a clown make over. Also,
while out on the grounds of the Arizona Center in full clown costume, we had a
chance to meet Dr. Marcelleus Hall, the Vice President of Operations of the
Harlem Globetrotters.
Left:
Special guest Jim Howle with Mark Lee, Wanda Lovitt, and Terry Ricketts
Right:
Scooter, Buck L. Upp, Dr. Hall, and Billy
On
Saturday, we began with a great presentation by S.M.I.L.E. Director of
Curriculum Clif McKenzie on "What Principals Want". This was
followed by general session classes taught by Sammy Smith and Angel Ocasio.
In the afternoon, we learned about make-up, then got into our costumes for
pictures. First there were group pictures, then we signed up for studio
pictures or caricatures.
The
Conference Attendees in Costume and with puppets in a patriotic pose!
In
the evening, we had Open Mic followed by the Lead Instructor's Show that was
MC'd by Terry Ricketts.
On
Sunday, we started out with a session on S.M.I.L.E. Magic. Matt Bender
shared his homemade magic. Then everyone
had the choice of classes by Terry Ricketts, Angel Ocasio and Sammy
Smith. The
grand finally was the graduation and the final raffle of the
conference.
Special
thanks to our Lead Instructors: Angel Ocasio, Terry Ricketts and Samuel Patrick
Smith. Thanks also to our S.M.I.L.E. Instructors: Matt Bender, Debbie
Henry, Clif McKenzie, Pam Moody, Scott Reed, Mark Ruffennach and Bruce
Wall. We'd also like to thank our Dealers: Axtell Expressions
Puppets, Big Fun Balloons, Angel Ocasio, Presto Magic Studio, Ricketts Enterprises, and
SPS Publications. Extra special thanks to our Conference Committee: Ann
Bowers, Janet Clayton, Cheryl Evans, Patty Frey, Dee Harmon, Dan Jensen, Patty
Meagher, Pam Moody, Scott Reed, Mark Ruffennach and Bruce Wall. Our special thanks go to the Conference attendees!
Without you, we couldn't have done it!
To
see the reports from previous Conferences, check out:
