By: Olivia Guffey
Eli Peake is a treasured Missouri Scholar. After attending the academy himself in 2009, he returned for two years as programming director. Last year was that second year, and this summer he didn’t return as a staff member but as a guest for afternoon activities. His love for MSA brought him back to teach scholars through hands-on activities, contact juggling and krav maga.
When a scholar first sees the words “contact” and “juggling” together, they immediately think “contact sport.” However, the assumption is false with contact juggling. Contact juggling is the manipulation of objects in motion without the object ever leaving contact with your body. Peake, took up contact juggling shortly after he left the academy and conducted an afternoon activity based on the hobby. He was hooked after seeing David Bowie in Labyrinth maneuvering a glass ball, which looked like magic. Peake began researching after questioning if it was “another hollywood trick.” Instead, he found videos filmed to teach others how to begin creating what appears to be magic.
While contact juggling is only a side hobby, Peake enjoys seeing others’ reactions and performing at talent shows for summer camps. Peake doesn’t use his skill for much else and continues because he genuinely enjoys it. Using tennis balls, he taught scholars a few tricks he mastered. Peake only taught a couple basic tricks, but informed us that “there’s so much out there” and he is constantly learning new tricks or inventing his own. Morgan McGurk, an attendee, was inspired by his talent and plans on continuing practicing the tricks she learned when she gets home. She had never heard of it before the activity but quickly realized “it was a fun, hands-on activity.” At the activity, interest was high and there were barely enough tennis balls for everyone. The interest may have stemmed from the idea of a contact sport or the unique idea of learning how to juggle.
After visiting for contact juggling, Peake came back for week two of the academy, holding an afternoon activity “Krav Maga.” Krav maga is a form of Israeli self defense that can be used when one is in a dangerous situation. McGurk attended both activities hosted by Peake. At krav maga, different situations tested attendees’ abilities to use their newly developed skills, some of which involved fake guns and fake knives. Through these simulations, McGurk “realized the importance of thinking every move through, if someone has a gun you must ensure it’s pointed at the ground before fighting back to avoid anyone being shot.” Peake provided scholars with a skill they can bring home and use to keep themselves safe. The combination of activities Peake held at the academy display the variety of his hobbies and project fun and safety as an utmost importance for the people of the world.
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