MARSHALL - Imaginations have been running wild at the 2011 Summer Talents Academy these past two weeks.
More than 200 students in grades 1-8 made their creations come alive in a variety of one-week sessions at Marshall Middle School, including crazy Lego contraptions, video game design, TV stars video production and fun with fondant.
"We're blessed to have the incredibly talented staff we have," said Doug Goodmund, assistant director of Marshall Community Services. "Summer recreation isn't is what this program was built on. It's a hands-on, brains-on program, focusing on the arts, technology and science areas."
Previously run by the Marshall Public School District, the Talents Academy is under its first year of sponsorship by MCS.
"MCS is part of the MPS district anyway, so we work together," Goodmund said. "Things were just shifted around. We wanted to continue its success. It's a real positive program for our kids and families."
Crazy cupcakes, pottery/ceramics and Lego engineering were also highlights.
"I've had a good time," second-grader Tessa Gannott said of her experience in pottery with instructors Joel and Victoria McKinney. "I liked making the nose for my cup the best."
The nose for the face on the outside of the pinch pot/cup was the most challenging, Gannott said.
"I made nostrils and I named it 'Piggy,'" she said.
Nick Grubb took his time scribing details on the exterior, while Londyn Blomme chose to add hair. Others added a mustache or other features to their face, which was drawn on paper before starting with the clay.
"I'm making a vampire," Aubrey Bjella said. "I'm naming it mascara."
Savannah Dobrenski wasn't sure what kind of face she was going to create yet, as she diligently perfected her pot.
"The hardest part is getting all the sides even," Riley Bakke said.
During free creation time, Ethan VanHauwaert made a Transformer.
Other students got hands-on experience making and decorating unique cupcakes.
"They learn that they don't have to use regular frosting," instructor Manjit Harrison said. "They can make something more amazing."
Harrison enjoys seeing the kids' reactions when she unveils a project, and loves the fact that everyone gets to take something home every day.
"I liked them all," Kaitlyn Matzner said of all the different cupcakes. On Thursday, students created a lion face.
"We use yellow fondant," Meredith Bock said. "It's edible and you can write on it."
At tables of four, students followed, step-by-step.
"You put it in the sugar to make it not so sticky," KC Boerboom said.
On Wednesday, the class made babies with delicate fingers and toes sticking out on top of their cupcakes.
"We also made a pirate and bumble bee," Ashley Arndorfer said. "The bumble bee was really cute."
While Harrison is new to the Talents Academy staff, her husband, Steve Harrison, is teaching Lego sessions for the seventh straight year.
"Some follow plans and some are free building," Steve Harrison said of the Legos engineering students. "There are unlimited possibilities."
Nolan Schultz built a "Spongebob-mobile."
Hannah Meier, who finally got her car moving after noticing a rubber-band had slipped off, didn't mind being the lone girl in the class.
"I think it's fun," Meier said. "I'm kind of into Legos."
Together, Spencer Ehlers and Jerad Nielsen tested their projects, a winch and a hotrod, after building them. The winch easily held the car and six weights as it dangled over the edge of the table.
"It takes a long time," said eighth-grader Tristan Johnson, who was free building with his brother Owen, a fifth-grader. "I enjoy this a lot."
"I made a speed demon," Owen Johnson said. "It's not very strong, but I can add some weapons to chow down on enemies."
Mason Penske constructed a 10-inch long grabber Thursday.
"It's called 'The Claw,'" Penske said. "I also made a snowplow this week. But I modified it so we could play war with it."
