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Call Us Clowns recognizes Wesley Laga
(by Kathryn A. Burger - July 08, 2008)
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Photo Courtesy Of Ginnie Testo
Wesley Laga of Park Ridge was one of two recipients of scholarships awarded by the non-profit organization, Call Us Clowns. He is pictured here with volunteer clown, Joanna “Choo Choo” Taylor and Richard Scott, vice president of Call Us Clowns.
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Call Us Clowns isn’t fooling around when it comes to encouraging young people to continue their education in the performing arts.
The non-profit volunteer group, based in Allendale, solicits nominations for scholarships that are awarded annually to graduating high school seniors. They contact the administrators of high schools located in the towns where their members reside and ask for their nominations based on the group’s criteria, that, in addition to the pursuit of higher education in the performing arts, includes volunteer service in their communities.
Ginnie Testo, a member of the group, said, “We have a committee that reviews all the applications and selects the two winners. We are interested in students who are pursuing a career in the performing arts,” she said, adding with a laugh, “after all, we’re in the clown business!”
This year, Wesley Laga of Park Ridge was selected as one of the two recipients. A member of the Park Ridge High School Class of 2008, acting has been a passion of his since he was 10. He’s appeared in an impressive list of productions at the school, and as a participant in the Helen Hayes Summer Theatre Program and as a member of Summertime Players of Bergen County including “Rumors,” “The Complete Works of Shakespeare, Abridged,” “42nd Street,” and, “The Sound of Music.” He played the role of Seymour in, “Little Shop of Horrors.” He made his film debut as Matt Lordes in the short film, “Seekers, The Movie.” He also directed middle school plays for four years.
The scholarships were presented at a monthly meeting of Call Us Clowns and Testo said Laga was “a hit” with everyone. “He was great! He told us all about the shows he’s been in and we just loved him.” She said they asked him if he’d sing a song for them and he was more than happy to oblige. “He was wonderful, fantastic!”
Laga will attend Five Towns College in Dix Hills, N.Y. in the fall where he will pursue studies in acting, comedy, and the theater arts.
Call Us Clowns members perform throughout northern New Jersey, volunteering their entertainment skills mainly for charity and they support and entertain at various fundraisers. They also offer clown training classes. See page 41 for information about the next class offering. In addition to their scholarship program, the group also supports other worthwhile charitable organizations. For more information about the group, visit www.callusclowns.org.
Kathryn A. Burger's e-mail address is burger@northjersey.com.
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