CircusTeens is CircEsteem’s youth employment program created in 2004. It provides opportunities for older students to become more involved with CircEsteem. It is an opportunity for them to gain work experience and save money for college while doing something they love. The CircusTeens are paid to mentor younger students, teach circus skills, perform and assist at HomeWork & CircusWork, Summer and Winter Camp, and on Saturdays with the Chicago Youth Circus. In order to be a CircusTeen, students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average, demonstrate a level of maturity and responsibility, be able to show mastery of specific circus skills, have a passion for performing and model positive behavior and leadership skills.
Sara was born in Chicago and joined CircEsteem in 2005. Her favorite circus skills are trapeze, tumbling and juggling. She has attended AYCO, traveled many places, including Germany, and gone on tour with CircEsteem. Sara loves performing and improving her skills with CircEsteem. Her favorite part of CircEsteem is getting to travel because it gets her closer to the other kids and they now feel like a second family.