European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 15, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse Is photos by Ken George Johnathon Akanu delivers his Ball in almost slow motion style. Left Tan a Claudio coaxes the Ball Down the Alley with the help of Tutor Barbara Mcmurrin. Below Jamar Richardson uses a bit of body English to guide his Ball toward the pins. Aishia Thompson Center is mobbed by classmates left to right Daniella Bahn Arlene Colon and Natasha Gordon after recording a strike. Program strikes responsive chord with kids Nyji Tijones staff writer excitement mounts As 5-year-old Aishi Thompson pads in stocking feet to the fou line. She spreads her Short legs bends overan 8-Pound yellow Bowling Ball grips it with stubby Little fingers and gives a Hearty shove. As the Ball slowly zigzags Down the Lane Aishia taps her thumb on her Index Finger in anticipation. She paces and Waits. And Waits. Changing its course More than once on its Way Down the 60-foot Lane the slow moving Ball hits the 10-pin Triangle in the perfect pocket. The pins lazily topple in a slow motion Domino effect All 10 of them. I got a strike she yells. I got a strike moments later the proud Bowler is smothered in hugs from her friends. She is this thursday s Star of the show. Aishia and her friends from the Darmstadt child development Center Are almost guaranteed pin action sometimes even strikes at their weekly outings. That s quite a difference from the frustration Young bowlers often feel at seeing their balls hit the Gutter Long before reaching the pins. And it s thanks to Glancer Bowling Bright Blue air filled tubes running the length of the gutters. There s no failure but even Glancer Bowling does t solve All the problems of Young bowlers. Sometimes we still have to go get the Ball said Pat West a development Center care giver. They sometimes bump the glances on both sides then finally Page 14 the stars and stripes Stop on the child development professionals say the idea behind adaptive equipment such As glances is to give children a sense of Mastery. And parents see it As encouraging. I think it s More fun for them if they hit some pins said Mary Long whose son Kevin bowls on thursdays. Or. Eldon g. Schulz chief of exceptional family member services in Heidelberg West Germany said the program is an Opportunity for children to master a sport. Schulz whose specially is developmental paediatrics says it is crucial to a child s mental growth to be Able to improve in activities such As Bowling because motivation and self esteem Are based on Mastery of a and the kids Are learning the game. I m getting Good at it bragged Crystal Mathis. Last time i got a 44.1 had lots of strikes and Crystal no longer uses glances but said when she first started it helped it not to go in the Becky Woods 7, is getting Good West said. In another three weeks we can move her off the West said most of the youngsters Don t worry about scores. Occasionally one will ask who s winning but their biggest concern is that the Ball does t touch the glances she said. While the youngsters have never heard of Earl Anthony and express no desire to be pros there Are a few who share Jamar Richardson s competitive spirit. I like to go Bowling All the time with my friends he said. I like to Knock Down All the pins like my dad does. Not like my mom. She goes in the wednesday february 15,1989 above Tracy Burkenbine cheers her first strike. Left Arlene Colon heaves the Ball Down the Alley. Johnathon Akanu anxiously tracks his Ball. Tan a Claudio appears doubtful about picking up a spare although the air filled tubes running along the gutters essential props in Glancer Bowling almost guarantee one. The stars and stripes Page 15
