Husband and wife teach values through magic show

A Bronaugh student helps Marty and Brenda Hahne teach students at the character education assembly that they too can be heroes. Marty kept the students guessing with his magic and Brenda entertained them with her ventriloquism.

By Steve Moyer

Nevada Daily Mail

Bronaugh students learned some valuable lessons at school Friday morning, outside of the classroom.

Brenda Hahne and her wild friend teach the students at Bronaugh that everyone is unique and should be respected during a character education assembly Friday morning.

Marty and Brenda Hahne were in the gym entertaining the students during the character education assembly while at the same time passing on some important information.

The theme, focus on our actions, showed the students how they can be real-life heroes. Hahne used magic to get his message across while his wife used ventriloquism. Both kept the students attention all the while teaching them important lessons about character.

Marty brought a student up and asked what makes a hero.

The students shouted out lots of answers but Marty had his own list of important qualities. Marty displayed silks with the individual letters spelling out hero and explained what each stood for.

"H is for honest," Marty said. "Heroes are honest. E is for enthusiastic. Heroes are enthusiastic. R is for respect, do you know what respect is? O is for other people. You want to think about other people, not just yourself. These are the qualities that make real heroes."

Marty pointed out that students could do all those things themselves so that they, too, could be a hero.

"You can do that can't you?" Marty asked. "Then you can be a hero too."

Brenda took over for a time with her friend Wild Wilma. Wilma was flamboyant and proud of her new hairdo, pink and red and glittery. After a short introduction, Wilma admitted that some of her acquaintances don't call her Wild Wilma, but instead call her Weird Wilma.

Brenda used the downcast Wilma to teach the children to accept others as they are and treat them as they would like to be treated themselves.

The Hahnes are from Ozark and work with schools all over. For the past four years Marty has been the featured entertainer at the Thomas the Tank Engine "Day Out with Thomas" events in several states.

The Hahnes also present events for adults as well. With more than 20 years of experience, the Hahnes have performed on cruise ships, at corporate functions and private parties.

Bronaugh teacher Julie Forkner said, "We try to bring a special program like this every year. It's part of our character education," curriculum, an effort aimed at helping to teach positive values.