What started out as a potentially “cute” Good News assignment, resulted in something unexpected.
Dr. Cynthia Rush, a teacher from Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary School, extended an invitation to her classroom to observe a visit from Chucko the Clown.
This writer wasn’t prepared for the magic about to transpire.
As the children, ages 6-11 years old, sat quietly on the floor – four of them in mobility chairs – a couple entered the room.
The man, who had a kind face and a red bandana covering his head, wore blue coveralls with a large, gold picture frame draped across his body.
Seeing a clown without their makeup is like having the lights turned on while riding Disney’s Space Mountain. It’s quite astonishing.
After setting down a bundle of shopping bags, Chucko and his wife, Noriko, get to work. She gently taps her fingers on the school’s musical keyboard.
The giant red and yellow checkered clown shoes were just the start.
Throughout the hour, Chucko carefully transformed into full character while softly singing, inspiring laughs, and encouraging students to use a single finger to follow the movements of his makeup sponge.
The once quiet group of young people was now swaying and smiling ear to ear. They were entranced by his every move.
There were antics and humor around every corner.
A mishap landed Chucko on the floor instead of a chair, a color-changing handkerchief was pulled from a young girl’s fist and there were multiple attempts to dress backwards.
In these moments, a realization that could bring a tear to anyone's eye.
There's an unmistakable connection between a man named Chuck, who was working hard to earn the trust of special needs students as "Chucko".
Now fully made up as a clown, with a red nose, bright orange hair and patriotic garb.
No matter what challenges they face, Chucko wants his audience members to feel like a STAR.
Chuck Sidlow, a well-renowned circus clown, created “World of Chucko” to bring interactive, empowering and entertaining shows into senior and special needs facilities.
His “Laughter Unlimited” programs are filled with humor, music, art, entertainment and education.
Archive Photo: News Sentinel; Chuck Sidlow and Josephine "Penny" Henry in March 1980.
Sidlow, a self-proclaimed “class clown” who grew up near Philadelphia, attended the iconic Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College in Venice, Florida.
He became the youngest “Boss Clown” in Ringling’s history and was inducted into the Circus Ring of Fame in 2018.
On October 5, 2023, he made dozens of new friends at Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary School.
The kids presented him with handmade thank you cards for coming to visit.
A hug, a handshake and one last song before Chucko bids farewell until next time… “When you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you, and you, and you, and you.”
What happened inside this classroom at Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary was definitely one of the greatest shows on Earth.
For more information about Laughter Unlimited, please visit www.worldofchucko.org.