Kids
Zach: The Athletic Artist
Eleven-year-old Zach loves arts and crafts. When he isn’t in school, he likes to pass the time finding videos on YouTube that show him how to make crafts step-by-step, and then trying them out for himself. One craft project he taught himself how to do is origami. Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. You take a sheet of paper, usually paper that has some kind of pattern on it, and fold it to create different shapes like cranes, flowers, and boats. So far, Zach knows how to make a 3D box, as well as a trapezoid.
Though he usually likes to do crafts by himself, Zach has also made dream catchers with his grandma. Dream catchers were originally made by Ojibwe people. Ojibwe people traditionally hung dream catchers on babies’ cradleboards, to trap bad dreams, and let only the good dreams go through. These days, people from many Indian nations and others make dream catchers. Traditional dream catchers were made with a small wooden hoop and plant fiber that had been dyed red. Zach makes his dream catchers using a wooden hoop, netting, feathers, string, and beads.
Zach’s artistic talent doesn’t end with paper folding and making dream catchers. He draws and colors as well. Some of his favorite things to draw are hearts, skulls, and tractors. Zach likes to color the Rainbow Rumpus coloring pages, too! One of Zach’s older brothers, Jason, knows how much Zach enjoys coloring. Jason gave Zach a Rainbow Rumpus coloring page. Once Zach was done coloring, he gave it to his mom, Jennifer, who sent it in to us at Rainbow Rumpus!
| One of Zach’s drawings |
When he’s not making art, Zach is working his athletic skills to help bring his sport teams to victory. He is part of the kickball team at his school, and plays alongside his friends during their many winning games. Then, when school lets out for the summer, Zach plays Little League baseball for his hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He’s played Little League with his friends for several years. According to Zach’s mom, he likes being part of a team and playing different roles. Pitching, catching, hitting the ball; Zach has fun doing it all, and his entire family turns out to watch. His mom, Jennifer, his dad, Charles, and his brothers Jason, Alex, Michael, and Anthony, cheer him on at games. Zach’s family also practice with him off the field, and help keep him ready for action.
| Zach playing a game for his Little League team | ||
Whether he’s teaching himself how to do art, or perfecting his skills for the big game, Zach can count on his family to be there to support him. After all, doesn’t every artistic athlete need a crowd of fans to keep them going?
