Third Time's a Charm For Rosenberg in Juniors

by Russ Kaufman

 

After a lot of hard work and determination, 14-year-old Jonathan Rosenberg won the Juniors Championship in Baltimore in a field of very tough competition. It was Rosenberg's third attempt to get the top honor. Each year he got better -- taking tenth place in Akron in 1987, and sixth place in Denver last year before winning this year.

 

Second place in Baltimore was won by 13-year-old Brian Patz, while third was captured by Alfonso Guerra.

 

A bit discouraged after Denver, and at one point even contemplating not competing in the IJA event, Rosenberg was invited to compete in the World Juggling Council competition in Ohio sponsored by Benji Hill in 1988. Hill was impressed with what he saw, and told Rosenberg if he worked hard he probably could be in the top three if he competed in Baltimore.

 

Hill encouraged Rosenberg and coached him for the competition. Hill also provided him with two other important ingredients in a positive attitude and tips on the proper way to practice. In addition to being coached by Hill, Rosenberg got help with choreography from Ron Medici in his home town of Oswego, New York. He also received constant encouragement from his mother, Carol (who has attended each convention with him), his father Kenneth (who fortunately was able to come to a convention for the first time this year), and his brother, Eric.

 

His routine included doing four ball shoulder throws, juggling four balls above his head, and a six ball juggle for twenty tosses. He did a three club dive roll, four club triple singles, and a fouur club pirouette.

 

Rosenberg's intensity and persistence permeates his involvement in the IJA. He earns the money to attend conventions by performing as a clown at various parties and events. He also spent his own money to become an IJA Life Member, because he expects to be very involved in the organization in the years to come. He was the prime mover in persuading the IJA Board of Directors to drop the voting age in IJA elections from 16 to 13 years of age. The directors embraced Jonathan's proposal, and approved it during the Baltimore convention.

 

"Name That TV Tune" Wins Teams for The Passing Zone

by Bill Giduz

 

Owen Morse and Jon Wee, performing as The Passing Zone, aimed a clever act at the television generation to come away with the Team Championship in Baltimore.

 

The curtain opened on two bored teenagers watching a public television channel. But as soon as mom left the house, they "switched channels." They ripped off tear-away clothes to reveal flashy costumes, turned the television around to reveal its double duty as a prop stand and performed some highly technical juggling to well-known television theme songs.