FORT MEADE, Md. - Three times is the charm.
Ten-year-old Emmanuel Roberts tried twice to complete a high-flying side kick during a Tae Kwon Do demonstration Saturday afternoon, but he wasn't successful.
"I was laughing," Emmanuel said of his lack of concentration.
But when Emmanuel took his instructor's advice and focused his energy, the Manor View Elementary School student split a piece of wood in half with the force of his foot, garnering applause from the audience.
"It was easy," he said after the event.
Emmanuel was one of 80 Fort Meade children who participated in the second annual SKIES Unlimited Winter Showcase at McGill Training Center. The event is sponsored by Schools of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration & Skills Unlimited, an education and recreation program offered by Child, Youth and School Services.
The children, who are enrolled in SKIES dance, tumbling, music and Tae Kwon Do classes, showed off their talents in a two-hour presentation that left smiles on the faces of parents and other family members.
"It was nice," said 2nd Lt. Renee Roberts, of her son Emmanuel's martial arts performance.
Roberts said Emmanuel excels in his Tae Kwon Do class. "It's actually good to see him do it," she said.
Elizabeth Lombardo, the instructional program specialist at SKIES, said the showcase, which is held in spring and winter, is a family affair.
"It is an opportunity for the children to display to the community and their families what they have learned [in class]," she said. "They can show off their handiwork."
Year-round, SKIES offers 12 classes ranging from piano and jazz dance to swimming and driver's education. Classes are targeted to youngsters ages 6 weeks to 18 who are children of active-duty service members, Department of Defense civilians or retirees.
Registration fees for CYS2 have been waived, thanks to the Army Family Covenant. Children must be enrolled in CYS2 in order to take SKIES Unlimited classes.
Lombardo said children enrolled in the fall classes practiced weeks for the winter showcase, which was originally scheduled for Dec. 19 but was canceled due to the first major snowstorm of the season.
Saturday's production, however, kept its original holiday and winter theme. Youngsters who greeted people at the door at McGill wore Santa hats and distributed candy canes. The stage was decorated in red ribbon, and performers wore red, gold, white and black as they danced and tumbled to traditional Christmas songs.
Andre Richmond, a supply technician at CYS2, served as master of ceremonies.
The show featured several highlights, including a stunning solo ballet performance by Kira Carew, 14, a freshman at Meade High School, and a flawless piano rendition of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" by Joanna McCary, 11, a seventh-grader at Bethel Christian Academy in Laurel.
"It was nerve-racking but a lot of fun," Kira said of her performance.
Joanna said she, too, was nervous when she started to perform the popular Christmas song, but felt more comfortable as she continued playing before the audience.
"I feel happy," she said. "I feel like I accomplished something."
Melody McCary, Joanna's mother, said her daughter has been taking piano lessons through SKIES for a little more than a year.
"She's coming along really well. AfaEURo I'm pleased," McCary said.
Mike Visitacion, the SKIES Tae Kwon Do instructor, said he was impressed by the children who performed.
"They all did great," he said, noting that SKIES aims to help children focus, express themselves in a safe, structured environment, and become disciplined.
Dwight Iler came to see his 5-year-old granddaughter Keyonn Figg perform a ballet and tap dance routine.
"I got a kick out of it, it was great," Iler said.
When Keyonn, a kindergartner at Pershing Hill Elementary School, met her grandfather at the end of the event, they shared a hug. Then Iler expressed a sentiment shared by many parents and family members.
"I'm proud of you, little girl," he said.
Children in the SKIES Unlimited program will perform April 24 at the Pavilion in observance of the Month of the Military Child.
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