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Teen Has High Aspirations

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By LIZ BLEAU, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 16, 2008

GIBSONTON - Simone Dykes, 17, didn't have to run away to join the circus.

Now a featured aerialist with the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, she grew up in a circus family - her mom and dad, Ron and Robin Dykes, and four siblings - travel together with the circus. Her parents and several brothers and sisters also are performers.

Simone Dykes, known professionally as Miss Simone, is one of the performers volunteering their time to perform in the annual Showmen's Association Circus on Saturday.

Members of the International Independent Showmen's Association donate the talent and food for the circus, and proceeds benefit local charities.

"I've been performing since forever," the teen said. "I started training when I was 5 and first performed when I was 6."

Dykes and her siblings are home-schooled. She and her sister Paulina, who are close in age, tried attending school but then decided it was too hard to be in school, then on the road, then back into school, so opted for home-schooling full time.

Dykes helps her dad in schooling her siblings. Most of the schoolwork she does can be done independently, she said, except for calculus, for which she relies on her father for help.

She expects to finish high school this year and is looking for a circus career.

"It's what I really love to do. I can't imagine staying in one town all the time," Dykes said.

Traveling has been a major part of her education, she said.

"The cool thing about being able to travel is that I have seen so many things that some people only read about in books, like the Grand Canyon and Mount Rushmore," Dykes said.

She has never felt torn about not attending high school or going to the prom or Senior Day.

"I just don't miss that. I make up for it with all the friends I meet all over the country," she said.

The Showmen's Circus has been held for nearly 30 years.

In addition to Miss Simone, the circus will feature Becky Ostroff, Cook's Comedy car, the Dykes Family unicycle act, clowns, jugglers and equestrians.

Also featured will be a 15-piece circus band and performing animals including camels, llamas, zebras, horses, dogs and elephants.

Advance tickets are available at Otto's Hardware, Carousel Pawn and the Showmen's Club in Riverview; Portale's Supermarket in Gibsonton; and the Observer News in Ruskin.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: International Independent Showmen's Association charity circus

WHEN: Saturday, with performances at 1, 4 and 7 p.m.

WHERE: Showmen's Club, 6915 Riverview Drive, Riverview

COST: Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 day of show; free tickets for children are available at area stores and in newspaper advertisements

Reporter Liz Bleau can be reached at (813) 865-1557 or lbleau@tampatrib.com.

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