Mission Statement

Stick With It! is the premier school assembly and fundraiser program serving Michigan schools by effectively motivating students to chose a healthy lifestyle, inspiring them to persevere new, difficult challenges with an outlook of optimism and generating much needed revenue for participating schools and organizations.

Program Synopsis

Stick With It! is an enrichment program designed to encourage students in grades 3-8 to stick with school, stick with sports, and to stick with living a healthy lifestyle.

The 30 minute program contains the following elements; a performance with juggling sticks, interaction with the students and instruction in the use of juggling sticks, and a motivational speech. The juggling sticks performance will include music, special effects and dimmed lights. Now that the students are fully attentive, we turn the lights on and show them how easy it is to learn how to use juggle sticks. We will seek out those who have never used juggling sticks before and teach them how to use the sticks in control in fewer than five minutes. In the third element of the program we will expound on the importance of sticking with school, sticking with sports (team or individual) and abstaining from using cigarettes. The metaphor of the juggling sticks will be used in this segment to emphasize the importance of never giving up, being determined to learn and excel in order to achieve success and to endure with a mindset of optimism.

Three students chosen randomly will win a set of juggling sticks that day as well as a few other products.  All students will receive information outlining the Stick With It! program; this will include a catalog showcasing the edu-toys available for sale through the program. 10% of all purchases associated with the Stick With It! program will be donated to the school.

Other Programs

Aside from the main, enrichment program, SWI offers three other programs schools may purchase to enhance the effectiveness of the SWI assembly and fundraiser program.

• Stick With Gym!  This program takes place throughout gym class and offers all students the chance to learn how to use juggle sticks.  Each student will be able to use a set of juggle sticks and Mike Adams will walk everyone through the steps of learning the art of juggling sticks.  Numerous tricks will be taught and the students and teacher are sure to have a blast!

• Stick Around! This after school program takes place during Latchkey (or other similar after school programs) and lasts for up to 45 minutes beginning when the after school program starts.  It offers an opportunity for exposure to juggle sticks, diabolo, poi and regular juggling.  Since these after-school programs often have fewer students, Mike will be able to offer more focus on each individual and achieve greater learning success.

• Stick With Biz! This program is designed for high school students in business management classes.  Mike Adams will bring his business experience and enthusiasm into the classroom sharing the Stick With It! philosophy with the students. Topics such as young entrepreneur success stories, commonly used business terminology, as well as the pro's and con's of being a young business owner will be covered.  Students should come to class with a business concept in mind and be prepared to have their business brains tested so as to gain quick, on-your-feet critical thinking skills.

Our Goals

The goals of the Stick With It! program are short term and long term in scope.  The short term goal is to develop a program that has a positive, effective influence on students as well as a positive, economical impact on schools.  It is our goal that all schools at least earn the program cost back through the sales of our edu-toys.  To help ensure this, we will send post-program info to the school to be distributed to the students so as to help spur sales of products by reminding students, teachers, parents, family and friends of the benefits of the SWI program.

The long term goals are to see graduation rates increase, participation in school sports and after school programs increase and to see tobacco use decrease.  We hope to achieve this through constant upgrade and improvement in our programming so it is more memorable, effective and modern.

Performer Bio

Mike Adams is a Northern Michigan University graduate with a Baccalaureate Degree in Entrepreneurship.  Immediately you will notice his infectious positive energy and charisma.  He has gained experience in managing the business he started in 2000, Jolly Lama Creations, which has given him the capacity to develop a program that not only excites students but also delivers revenue to schools. 

During the summer of 2006, Mike attended the International Juggle Sticks Competition in Denver, Colorado and took second place in the professional category out of 11 entrants.  Thus, his educational background, business experience, juggling talent and energetic personality will all combine to create an unforgettable program all students and schools are sure to benefit from.

With the school's approval other performers may be invited to perform in the program.  We know many professional yo-yo, diabolo, poi and juggling performers. If they are able to attend and live near your school, we will ask them to join.  This is certain to increase exposure to other products and increase donations.