At the 7th annual Meridian Community Block Party, the town's talented citizens came out in full force for the event's first ever Talent Tournament. One man was there for a different reason, hoping to teach kids that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
"I want to give students a tangible example that if they set their mind to a goal and pursue it with a passion they can accomplish anything," explained David Rush a juggling S.T.E.M. activist.
David Rush works in the technology field and says nationwide there is a shortage of programmers. There are not enough students learning to apply science, technology, engineering, and math. From dancers to jump ropers 21 performing groups came out to compete for cash prizes, 1st place taking home $500, surprising Meridian Parks and Recreation officials on just how talented their community is.
"It shocks me it's fantastic, we were flooded with applications and we know this is going to continue to grow every year," said Renee White of Meridian Parks and Recreation.
At the talent tournament, David, a product of Idaho Public Schools and M.I.T. Grad broke a world record, his 8th, all by balancing a 26 and a half pound bicycle on his chin for 2 minutes and 36 seconds, beating the old record by 35 seconds. David practiced hard to pull it off, but for him, the real prize is knowing he's making a difference.
"If you struggle at math, or you fail a science test what you need to do is believe you can get better and continue to work hard on it rather then get discouraged and then say I can't be an engineer because I don't like math," said Rush.
The Winners of the Talent Tournament are:
1st. Motions Dance Studio
2nd. Summer Wind Skippers
3rd Ethan Everist for his Kendama skills
