While many were out in Mattapoisett enjoying Harbor Days on Saturday, July 17, about a dozen or so young Star Wars fans gathered in a galaxy far, far away – Rochester, at the First Congregational Church, actually – for a chance to discuss all things Star Wars with each other and Star Wars expert Peter Struzziero.
Struzziero, a librarian in Belmont, has hosted just about 200 Star Wars symposiums for children and their families over the past five years, schooling them on the Force, the characters, the plotlines of the films, among other things about which non-Star Wars fanatics are clueless. (That includes me).
There was no hesitation from the group during a few trivia games Struzziero played with the lively and knowledgeable bunch. When it came to naming the characters and answering obscure questions, these kids’ arms shot up like lightsabers to answer the question first.
“Wow, these kids are good, man!” exclaimed Plumb Library Assistant for Children’s Services Lisa Fuller, keeping score while wearing her blue Star Wars tank top. The game seemed to turn into a game of “Stump Ryan Farias” of Mattapoisett, who won first place in the trivia contest. This kid knew everything.
The kids enjoyed some spoof Star Wars videos, like “Jedi Kitten with the Force,” and a dog-lover and Lego version of the movies, as well. The kids and Struzziero also brought in tablesful of memorabilia and Star Wars collectibles for a show and tell of sorts.
The kids posed for some photos with the life-size ewok, and then whipped out their lightsabers and chased each other around, pretending to fight and losing themselves in their imaginations.
“These symposiums are a way that I stay involved with children’s programming,” said Struzziero. He said, in addition to the six movies, there are over 6,000 Star Wars books ranging from beginner level to adult novels. “Sometimes the smaller crowds are better,” like the one in Rochester that morning, said Struzziero. “You never know how many may show up.” It could be 12, said Struzziero, or it could be 100.
“I’m just a nerd,” said Struzziero. “And I love Star Wars.” And that’s good enough for these like-minded young Jedis.
By Jean Perry
