From Tina Dyehouse, board member and alumni parent

"At the age of seven, I joined the circus." Those words started our son John's 2023 college application essay.

We signed John up for My Nose Turns Red youth circus at age seven, because he didn't like soccer or other sports. The next year he got a unicycle and that was it - he was sold on circus. We didn't know at the time what a big impact those Saturdays spent in the circus gym would have on his life for the next 11 years.

As a parent, there's nothing like watching your child challenge themselves and grow. That is what MNTR has done for so many students, which is why we are writing to you today. But honestly, John tells it best:

"After doing this for 10 years, circus has had a major impact on me, and I've developed valuable traits that will stay with me. I had to learn to persevere and work hard because so many circus tricks require hours of practice. I've learned to be brave and not dwell on my mistakes because failing on stage is inevitable, and I need to be able to continue the show. Those lessons have greatly helped me in places outside of the circus, allowing me to be successful in other parts of my life."

MNTR was a great outlet for John's energy, joy, and creativity. It gave him a place to develop his unique personality. We are so grateful to MNTR for giving John the opportunity to become his best self. As you can imagine, running a youth circus requires a great deal of resources, including coaching, equipment, and facilities. John performed in about a hundred MNTR shows. Many of the shows in parks or schools are provided for free. So, we've always been glad to contribute what we could to MNTR to keep the show going and to help keep the program available to all interested.

One of the welcome changes we saw at MNTR over the 11 years was the expansion of the social circus program and provision of scholarships, which opened the program to more students. The MNTR big top has truly expanded to include more youth than ever before. We're reaching out to former parents and other friends of MNTR for contributions to the annual year-end campaign. Your support makes it possible for youth from all backgrounds to join the circus, regardless of financial barriers, and keeps our tent open to every child who dreams of being part of something magical.

Please donate today and help youth circus performers reach new heights - in the air and in life.

Sincerely yours,

Tina & Bob Dyehouse