The Clown Who Changed My Life

When I was assigned to interview a leader, one person immediately came to my mind, Julie Terry. I first met Julie Terry or Beep-Beep who was a clown at my friend's birthday party. She began to paint my face, and I asked her how she became a clown, because its not everyday you meet a clown, rather 1 out of 10,000 people will ever meet a clown, so I consider myself pretty fortunate to have so many wonderful clowns in my life. Anyway, she saw my genuine interest in clowning around, and offered to be my senior project mentor, where we are required to spend 15 hours on learning something new for my high school's graduation requirement. So right off the bat, she showed leadership in offering to teach me the art of clowning.

A year later, enhanced all of my skills to become a true professional clown because of all that Julie taught me, whether it was how to twist balloons, paint faces, perform magic, interact with kids of all ages as a clown, the in and out of business, and so much about life in general. We became great friends and even went on a college road trip together, where I was deemed her "artificial daughter" by her family, and she is my "artificial mother." Through the hours and hours, whether it was at the Northwest Festival of Clowns, our various gigs, at the Big Foot Clown Alley, spending time at her house (sometimes three times a day) to work on various clown skills or just load our balloon bags, to talking for hours on our 30 hour road trip, I can say I know Julie Terry very well and she is one of the most amazing people I have ever met and admire her so much.

Dimple-Dee (The Clown I turned into)

When I interview Julie, she didn't really know how to answer the questions because she is very humble and doesn't see herself as the inspiration she truly is, I could answer the questions about her myself, but it was interesting to see her perspective of herself.

The qualities she admires about herself is she is very giving, service oriented, and does so much for her family. She is not judgmental, especially when it comes to people who have had a hard life and have not been making the best decisions, and is very understanding of their situations. I can testify to this times 100!! Julie Terry will go out of her way just to talk to people she does not even know, and this kind of one on one attention can have a profound effect on people. She serves everyone and is so gracious its unbelievable. She with the help of another clown, started the Caring Clown Program at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma, Washington, she also volunteers he time and services in events throughout the community. Julie Terry gives her all to everyone, whether it is a stranger in the gas station, or being a clown for a child in the hospital.

Julie does not consider herself a leader, though she shines as an example of Christlike service where ever she goes. She says it depends on the situations whether she leads, or is more of the player and "goes with it." I think she doesn't view herself as a leader because she hasn't really had an official title, or position, but she is a leader in every aspect of the word, and has made a profound difference on many lives, mine included. In the Big Foot Clown Alley, she is loved and respected by all of the members because she knows each and everyone of them individually, and is very honest and down to earth with everyone of them.

Another way she leads is she always has an opinion and always shares it. Though she considers herself too outspoken and opinionated, I admire her audacity and wish I more of it. Julie Terry is very honest, and people seek advice from her because they know what she says will be true and not watered down. She is so knowledgeable, "Street Smart" and has clear common sense. Julie considers these qualities, and general life experience make her a leader in some aspects.

Julie is a true teacher, a guide, a counselor, and an example to so many. Everyday I have spent with Julie I saw her random acts of kindness. She has a way of being sensitive to everyone and their needs, and knows when someone need that extra bit of kindness. When we were in Rexburg, Idaho on our road trip, there were a few firefighters who were brought in from Oregon to fight the forest fires an hour away. These men were not members of the LDS Church, and being in a prominently Mormon town they really felt out of place, and would just sit on the curb and smoke. They really felt like outcasts, but whenever we drove by Julie would say hi and chat with them. She was such a good friend to them and felt bad that they, because the trucks they did have were only supposed to be used for business, and they really couldn't go anywhere. One man did mention he had a bike, but the chain was broken. We spent twenty minutes with them, just chatting and being a friend. And out of everyone that would drive past them everyone, she was the only one to stop and say hi. That a true follower of Christ, while everyone else would just pass judgments. The next day, Julie drove into town, and bought that man a bike chain.

I know Julie Terry made a impact on those firefighters experience in Rexburg, Idaho, as well as an impact on me with her Christlike example. But Julie Terry is hard on herself, and doesn't see the profound impact she has on people, but she has changed many lives for the better. I don't know where I would be without her example, guidance, love, and leadership.

Here is Julie's Clown Website
http://www.clownbuggie.com/