Go Speed Racers!
By Stephanie Maher Palenque
As the summer is coming to a close, many young people spent their days relaxing by the pool, hanging out with friends, and vacationing with family, but there are two brothers in Anthem who can say that they competed in a national soap box derby and had their adventure recorded on film for national audiences to view for years to come.
Soap box derby racing enjoyed its humble beginnings in Depression-era America in Dayton, Ohio, when a Dayton Daily News Photographer encountered three boys racing homemade engine-less cars down an inclined brick street. The photographer, Myron E. “Scottie” Scott, was known at the news for his creative thinking as much as for his photographic ability, and one of the best ideas of his life hit him at that moment: Why not hold a coasting race and award a prize to the winner? He told the boys to come back to the same hill with their friends a week later, and they could participate in a race with a “loving cup” - as it was called in Depression America – as a prize.
One week later, nineteen boys arrived at the site in suburban Dayton to compete for honors. After the relatively impressive showing on such little notice, Scott wondered how successful a race might be with a bit more notice and a little more publicity. The first full-blown soap box derby race drew an amazing crowd of 362 kids with homemade cars built from orange crates and sheet tin, wagon and baby buggy wheels in tow – all with the dream of winning the coveted $200 prize. There were an estimated 40,000 watchers along the hill.
Fast forward to 2008 when two young adventurers in Anthem, Arizona, D’Mitri Droban (now age 9 and Sergei Droban (now age 11), were introduced to the hobby when they watched a race in Tucson and thought it would be fun to try out. The siblings really took a shine to it, and this year, took part in the 73rd Annual All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship (AASBD World Championship) held July 24th in Akron, Ohio. The race is held annually and the kids who compete represent the top competitors in this sport in multiple divisions, including an Ultimate Speed competition. Only eight racers are crowned “Champion” out of 520 participants. Racers come from all over the United States, Canada, Germany, and Japan to compete. The week-long event is run very much like the Olympics, with opening and closing ceremonies, parades, and awards presentations.
When all was said and done, D’Mitri raced in the Stock division and placed 2nd in his heat; Sergei raced in the Rally Super Stock division and places 2nd in his heat. Both kids are in the 4th and 6th grade, respectively and attend Stepping Stones Academy, a charter school in Phoenix.
Aside from the excitement of the race, both boys will appear, either as extras or race participants, in the Corbin Bernsen movie that was filmed there, titled “25 Hill,” which will debut in July of 2011. D’Mitri was especially excited at the prospect appearing in the movie, “Someday I want to be a movie producer,” he said. Sergei described the derby as "cool.” "I named my car ‘The Terminator’ and even though my legs were shaking before the race started, I ran a pretty fast heat.” Both boys raced regularly in state and local competitions in Superior and Tucson, Arizona before qualifying for the International Competition in Akron, Ohio. Arizona Race director, Carl Osborne and his wife, Peggy, were instrumental in ensuring that the boys always had a car to race and an opportunity to compete.
It is no wonder that the boys have such an adventurous spirit, with parents Sergei Droban, Glendale homicide detective, and Kerrie Droban, attorney and award-winning author of suspense thrillers. If you think that your children might be interested in the exciting, time-honored tradition of soap box derby racing, please check out the website below for further details.
Info: www.aasbd.org
Zac Coffey’s Life Is A Cabaret!
Anthem teen, Zac Coffey, who has performed in many local plays and musicals during the past six years he has lived here, has just been accepted into the prestigious Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, Scotland! Only one of four Americans and twelve other lucky students from around the world to be accepted into the 2010-2011 class, Zac will study theatre arts. You can’t blame the guy for being excited, can you? . “I am more than elated to be going off to Scotland in the fall” says Zac, “I’ve never done anything like this before and it is such an amazing opportunity!”
Although Zac has received the highest scholarship the Academy has to offer, the tuition for this exceptional school is a bit out of reach for him, even taking student loans into consideration. So Zac is taking matters into his own hands, and using what he knows best, theatre, to raise some much-needed extra money. “I figured I should do something fun, something that involves all of my beautifully talented friends to raise some money to go off to school,” Zac says. “So naturally I wanted to do something involving performing, which I love. It’s what I’m going to school for, so it just makes sense!”
On Sunday, August 15th at 7:00PM, Zac and a few of his very talented friends will perform in “Zac’s Life is a Cabaret!” at the Anthem Golf and Country Club’s Persimmon Bar and Grille. The fundraiser features an evening of memorable Broadway tunes and other favorites performed by seasoned Valley professional performers, including AriZoni winners, teachers, a Broadway Veteran who has worked with Liza Minnelli, and many other gifted entertainers. This special event will include delicious appetizers, desserts and drinks to make your experience an even more enjoyable one.
The Musical Theatre of Anthem, a wonderful local theatre program that has provided a fantastic creative home for Zac’s theatrical escapades these past few years is generously sponsoring the event. Be sure to visit www.zcabaret.com to purchase tickets and to obtain information for the event. Also, you can look it up on Facebook or give Zac a call at 623-570-9394 with any questions. Admission: $36, which includes the amazing live performances and the delicious food catered by the Anthem Country Club.
623. 570. 9394
z-unit@cox.net
www.zcabaret.com |
