Jesse White Tumblers soar in Elgin

Friday's blue skies were filled with flying men in red outfits at Hillcrest Elementary School in Elgin.

The Jesse White Tumblers brought about 25 members out for a performance on the playground for the students at Hillcrest.

The Tumblers brought all manner of, well, tumbling to the mat, but the highlight based on the students' cheers was the portion of the show featuring the mini trampoline helping to propel the Tumblers 20 to 30 feet high in the air.

The event was organized by teacher Lynda Fox, who had seen them perform before. "I wanted the students to see positive role models so that they know they can do whatever they want one day and have fun doing it," she said.

The Jesse White Tumblers was founded by Secretary of State Jesse White in 1959. Since then more than 13,500 young men and women have benefited from the program, which includes the tumbling team, a training program, a tutoring program and scholar program. According to their website they make more than 1,500 appearances a year.