No kidding around!

  • Published
  • By SrA Jeremy Roman
  • 301st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
NAS Fort Worth JRB --  Two years ago, the Grant family living in San Diego, Calif., was affected by a military reality all such families face ... deployment. As a way to face their reality, Curtisha Grant, now a human resource assistant for the 301st Force Support Squadron, played with her children, 12-year-old son, Ky'are and 4-year-old daughter, Shania.

Little did she know her next few words would lead to more than helping her family through this time of separation. It would also lead to the comfort and healing of other families of deployed service members.

"You guys are funny like clowns," Ky'are remembers his mom saying.

With those six little words, the Kiddie Klowns were born.

The Kiddie Klowns is a brother and sister duo who perform and dedicate their business and themselves to families that have children who have to relocate or be separated from a deployed family member.

"I wanted to do this so we could have fun and not be sad when my dad was deployed," Ky'are said. "My motivation was to make other kids laugh when their parents are deployed."

From a humble beginning, they have performed for a handful or a hundred. Since their first performance, they have shown their own patriotism and imagination by creating their costumes and planning their original performance routines. They infuse singing, dancing, magic tricks and crowd participation into their act.

From the face paint to the costumes and the hours of choreography practice, they strive to entertain and demonstrate to the crowds that two are better than one.

"We are trying to show kids that brothers and sisters can work together," Ky'are said. "I want them to feel inspired when they see our teamwork."

Incorporating that sense of family spirit was always part of the plan.

"They want to be an example to other kids that brothers and sisters still get along and can dare to dream together," Curtisha added.

Aside from the entertainment aspect, they also provide an unexpected educational element to their show from the very start. The Kiddie Klowns act is totally bilingual.

"I am motivated to keep doing this because I can be a teacher of Spanish," Shania said. "I want them to feel inspired that a little 6-year-old can speak Spanish and want them to feel that they can learn it too."

Shania is involved in the Spanish Immersion Program at her elementary school. The Kiddie Klowns wanted to add the bilingual aspect to make their show more dynamically unique.

Through their adventures, the young clowns live their dream while also learning life-lessons as young entrepreneurs.

"Our vision is to have a business known around the world for being the dancing, Spanish-speaking sister and brother team," Ky'are said. "We'd also like to create a foundation for kids that want to start their own business."

"We love being Kiddie Klowns," Shania added. "We get to have our own business being goofy."

Parents, Franklin and Curtisha, also share in their children's excitement by providing encour-agement.

"I'm grateful that my children are able to immerse themselves in their dreams," said Gunnery Sergeant Franklin Grant with the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 41 here.

Curtisha, who received the 301st FSS Civilian of the Year Award, encourages her children to achieve their dreams.

"We teach them that if you can see it, you can live it," Curtisha, said. "Your dreams are right in front of you, all you have to do is open your eyes."

The Kiddie Klowns hope to perform for President Barack Obama's daughters someday. If this dynamic duo puts their minds to it, don't be surprised to see the Kiddie Klowns at the White House someday soon.