I was surprised to learn this summer that I had been nominated as one of Ladue Horton Watkins High School’s “Distinguished Alumni” for my work as a performing artist and circus researcher. I was even more surprised a few weeks later, when I found out that I was chosen to be a recipient of this award!

I grew up in St Louis, Missouri — moving to the Ladue school district from our old home in Los Angeles — when I was entering my Sophomore year of high school. It was there that I continued my Spanish language education, adding to it German, graphic design, and (of course!) where I started the school’s juggling club.

It hadn’t been since 2005, when I graduated, that I’d set foot back on campus, and boy has it changed. No longer a the state-of-the-art 1950s school building, it’s essentially been converted into a college campus. Jealous that these kids have a library with a JStor subscription (and, hey, the new Home Ec rooms are pretty incredible, too!)

As part of the event, I was invited to give a short speech and share some juggling on stage as well. If you’d like to hear the story of my first talent show in highschool, there’s a video below!