Devan Durrance, a fifth grader at Myakka City Elementary School, briefly covered his eyes and sunk in his chair as he watched Cait O'Bryant, an aerial artist, fly through the air during a cradle routine.
"Oh, please don't fall," Durrance said as O'Bryant continued to dazzle the crowd of fifth graders.
Durrance said watching the aerial artists from Myakka City's Circus on the Ranch perform was nerve-wracking.
The circus performance was part of the school's end-of-year celebration for fifth graders because they weren't able to go on any of their usual field trips due to the pandemic.
Fifth grader Makayla Jendreau said her favorite act was when clown Yvinson Acero balanced eggs in a bowl on top of a long pipe on his chin and pretended to drop the eggs over the students' heads.
"I thought the eggs were real," Jendreau said.
Willy Pages holds onto Cait O'Bryant as she flies through the air during an aerial cradle routine.
Devan Durrance, a fifth grader, covers his eyes as a Circus on the Ranch performer flies through the air. "I was thinking about what would happen if they hadn't practiced," Durrance says. "It was nervewracking."
Cait O'Bryant spins around using a harness around her neck as Willy Pages holds on.
Mercedes Pages with Circus on the Ranch dazzles the crowd while performing with two hula hoops.
Cryztal Hernandez, a fifth grader, prepares to start the hula hoop contest against three other fifth graders.
Khloe Lovett, a fifth grader, is the student to hula hoop the longest. She was declared the winner of the hula hoop contest.
Fifth graders Suriel Luis Martinez, Kaitlyn Peterson and Bella Reed cheer for their friend in the hula hoop contest.
Fifth graders enjoy a performance from Circus on the Ranch to celebrate the end of their final year of elementary school.
Lexi Sutherland with Circus on the Ranch strikes a pose while doing a routine using silks.
Yvinson Acero with Circus on the Ranch juggles.
Yvinson Acero with Circus on the Ranch balances a bowl of eggs on his chin before pretending to drop the eggs on students.
Myakka City Elementary School's PTO brings Circus on the Ranch to the school because fifth graders weren't able to go on any of their traditional field trips that are privileges for fifth graders.
While wearing special glasses, Gena Case, the guidance clerk, throws a disc in hopes of having it land on the head of Yvinson Acero with Circus on the Ranch..
Yvinson Acero with Circus on the Ranch scares Gena Case, the guidance clerk at Myakka City Elementary School, by popping a balloon in front of her.
Yvinson Acero with Circus on the Ranch prepares to blow up a balloon to give to a member of the audience.
Mercedes Pages with Circus on the Ranch jumps rope while standing on top of a galloping horse.
Mercedes Pages with Circus on the Ranch jumps over a large ribbon while riding a horse.
Fifth graders Baylee Case and Bella Reed pet Pinto the horse.
Gabe Hernandez, a fifth grader, pets Pinto the horse after seeing Circus on the Ranch perform.
