Students at J. Mason Tomlin and Centre City elementary schools in Mantua were visited by the Harlem MagicMasters professional entertainment basketball team on Feb. 24, an occasion to celebrate Black History Month and promote camaraderie among students in the school district.
“The DJ played entertaining and crowd favorite music, which allowed students and staff to unwind and have fun,” said district Supervisor of Curriculum and Technology Theresa Labbree. “The team players engaged students and staff in various activities to promote team building and respect.”
It was the MagicMasters’ first appearance in the school district. Players wowed their audience with talent and also offered activities for both students and teachers. Labbee described the event as a morale booster, saying the kids “loved every minute.” Both schools featured it on their Facebook pages.
“The engaging activities allowed all to have a ‘feel good’ feeling,” Labbree noted.
The Harlem MagicMasters team was formed in New York City in 2003, according to its website, and consists of 24 different players with experience playing basketball in high school, college and even professionally in the U.S. and abroad. Its players use a combination of basket skills, slam dunks, skits and more to both entertain and educate.
“Our mission is to provide communities, nonprofit organizations, school systems and corporate America with affordable quality entertainment and empowering messages through the medium of basketball,” said MagicMasters’ president and owner, Jack Bryant.
“Our games, events and performances are fun for the entire family and complement educational initiatives directed at empowering our youth.”
The shows are also known for boosting morale, building character and family engagement, inspiring school spirit and inspiring self-motivation, among other goals. Labbree said the Mantua district would “absolutely” have MagicMasters back.
“We had so much fun ending our week with them,” reads a post on the Centre City Facebook page. “There were good sports, fun tricks and a powerful message of being a good person and never being a bully.”
