NED

Lianne O’Shea of All for Kidz works on a hat for Peter DiNapoli (right) as a prize for answering a question correctly. (Photos by Lisa Aciukewicz)

Hildreth Elementary students were entertained with yo-yo artistry last Friday in a character-education assembly designed to promote positive attitudes, better behavior, and academic achievement.

The 45-minute assembly used visuals, humor, and audience participation to share the story of the main character, NED.

NED, whose name is actually an acronym for Never Give Up, Encourage Others, and Do Your Best, took students through a scenario that demonstrated how poor decision-making can be turned around. The show was led by performer Lianne O'Shea, who dramatically recounted NED's trials and tribulations with aliens and his trip to the circus. The children were captivated by her animated story-telling and her ability to incorporate elaborate yo-yo skills.

According to Marcy Little, account executive at the NED Show, the creators integrated magic tricks and yo-yos into the performance as a visual lesson that would stay with students long after the show ended. Students are given the opportunity to purchase yo-yos as part of the company's "Pay It Forward" program. Instead of paying a fee for the program, schools invite the NED Show to perform at no cost and then make NED-messaged items available for a week following the show.

The NED-messaged items are all designed to reinforce the multi-sensory learning model in the program and serve as tangible reminders of the show.

LiAnne of All for Kidz asks Danielle Lawton a question at The NED Show performance Dec. 16 at Hildreth Elementary.

The NED Show began in the Northwest in 1989 and has been seen by over 23 million students annually in all 50 states, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. And this year, the performers will visit over 5,500 schools. The show has been so successful that they have performed at the White House 11 times.

The message resonated with participants. When asked by the Press what they thought of the show, second grader Logan Houston's eyes widened.

"It was really cool," Houston said. "NED stands for a nice thing."

This is exactly the reaction Hildreth Elementary principal Linda Dwight said she was hoping for.

"Guidance counselor Christine Reale heard about the show and thought it would be appropriate for us," Dwight said. "We found that it was a good second step in our anti-bullying campaign. It targeted all age groups and reinforced how important positive attitudes are."