Kings Firecrackers to travel across the nation for performances Pulse~Net Journal By Eric Schwartzberg November 30, 2009 The Kings Firecrackers jump roping team is so much of a nationwide sensation that its recently approved schedule includes performances at universities, professional basketball arenas and an embassy. The group of fourth through eighth graders from Kings schools is scheduled to perform Dec. 7 at the French Embassy’s Christmas party in Washington, D.C., according to Lynn Kelley, a physical education teacher at South Lebanon and Columbia schools. “They invited them to all stay for dinner and for the entertainment afterward,” said Kelley, who founded the jump rope team 13 years ago. The Firecrackers’ full schedule includes performances at Lebanon High School (Nov. 28), University of Cincinnati (Dec. 1) and Sycamore High School (Dec. 11) and Harlem Globetrotters game at U.S. Bank Arena (Dec. 30). The team will perform at half-time shows at the U.S. Naval Academy and a number of universities, including The Ohio State University, Indiana University, University of Kentucky, University of Tennessee and Penn State University. In March, they’ll grace Indianapolis Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls games. Then in April, the Firecrackers will light up the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. Kelley attributes the group’s rising renown to a video of the group that has racked up more than 18 million views since being posted to its Web site in April and has been seen in more than 90 different countries. She said it is “extremely humbling” that so many people enjoy the Firecrackers show and find it inspirational.  “We have people that call and say they watch it every morning and people who want to purchase DVDs and shirts and anything to do with them,” Kelley said. The group is considering invitations from the New York Knicks, “The Early Show” on CBS, and the “The Bonnie Hunt Show”, Kelley said. The Firecrackers’ most recent big-name appearance was a Labor Day performance at the 44th annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. On the Web: •  Kings Firecracker web site •  Firecracker Video Channel •  Videos posted to this site