KENWOOD — Kids at the Little Black Pearl gave Mayor Rahm Emanuel a lesson in netiquette Tuesday.
About 120 kids at the Geek Squad Academy day camp got a chance to show the mayor the tools for staying civil online that they learned in a digital citizenship class at the art and design center 1060 E. 47th St.
Sparkle Washington, who brought six kids down for the free camp from By the Hand Club for Kids, said they were excited the mayor knew their schools and let them try out some regular etiquette as well.
“They got to practice shaking hands and keeping eye contact with the mayor,” Washington said.
After the mayor left, the kids moved on to robotics and 3D printing classes.
The free two-day camp is lead by volunteers from Best Buy’s Geek Squad, who teach classes on robotics, digital music and film and script writing.
“We’re going to act out like we’re playing in a basketball game,” said Kristopher Stonewall, 16, who was cast as Bulls player Derek Rose in a melodrama with Kinnard Hughes, 14, as Cavaliers player Kyrie Irving
The script called for Hughes to push Stonewall as he was coming down from a dunk and injure his knee.
“I can play it, but I’ve never been hurt before,” Stonewall said.
Hughes had the bigger role. He had to in the culminating moment as Irving is defeated by an injured Rose, admit that he was a poor loser and find redemption in his shame.
“In the end I’m going to say, ‘I know I’m a sore loser. It’s just a game. I’m sorry, you earned it,’” Hughes said as they set up the opening shot.
The movie and other work produced by the kids at the camp will be on display at 3 p.m. Friday at Little Black Pearl.
“The kids just love it,” said Chinyera Moody, program manager at Little Black Pearl.
She said the netiquette class was a big hit, which mayor’s visit may have contributed to.
“So many kids are getting in fights online,” Moody said. “So it’s about learning values and how to be nice online.”
She said they hope to do the camp for a third time next year.
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