Inspiring Superheroes Shine and Soar at Phoenix Fan Fusion

by Reporter Ruby Kinion, Homeschool

I had the wonderful opportunity of speaking with Christin Pike, founder of Mental Health Superheroes, or MHS. After suffering the sudden and traumatic loss of her brother, Pike decided to start the charity to help those who are struggling with their mental health by taking popular fictional characters and discussing their human characteristics. For example, Pike will take a character like Lilo from Lilo and Stitch and use her struggles and emotions to represent real-world situations and make the information more accessible. In fact, she cosplays as a different character from pop culture every day and posts photos of herself on Instagram! You can check it out at @mhsuperheroes.

Mental Health Superheroes will be featuring attractions at the upcoming Phoenix Fan Fusion. Pike is most enthusiastic about a sensory exploration room complete with balance beams, a bounce house, and spinning chairs! The sensory room was created to give people of all ages a way to run, jump, and get their wiggles out. Pike says that when you move your body, you move your mind!

MHS will also feature two panels:  Mental Health and How to Train Your Dragon and Mental Health and Avatar: The Last Airbender. These panels are for everyone, especially teenagers.

Finally, there will be an art room where you can craft paper dolls and create your own superhero that reflects your personality. Moreover, the art room is located by the entrance, so it's a great way to start the day.

You can be a Mental Health Superhero by visiting Phoenix Fan Fusion, on June 6–8 at the Phoenix Convention Center! Find out more at fanfusion.com.

Meet The Man, The Myth, The Janimal!

by Reporter Wiley Kinion, Homeschool

It's time to dust off your Ironman suit because Phoenix Fan Fusion is coming! I had the opportunity to interview Jan Marc Quisumbing also known as The Janimal, who will be featured at the event. Quisumbing is a cartoonist and librarian who started drawing in first grade. He was an editorial cartoonist in high school and continued to be one throughout his time at the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University.

Quisumbing considers himself old school because he never uses a tablet to make art. He says his day job as a librarian gives him access to great information, graphic novels and art books.

Quisumbing will be doing a 45-minute drawing demonstration for both experienced artists and those who are new to drawing. His enthusiasm and passion for art is inspiring and is sure to make you feel like you have new tools for making great art. His advice for anyone wanting to become better with drawing is "practice, practice, practice."

For high school to young adults, Quisumbing will also be doing a discussion on what a career in art looks like. He will tell you what you need to buy, the cost of being an artist, how to COLLABORATE with others and more. With all of his life and art experience, it will be an excellent discussion!

You do not want to miss The Janimal, his demonstration, panel, and a chance to take home his incredible art! Find him on Instagram @thejanimaldraws and at Phoenix Fan Fusion from June 6–8. Find more information at fanfusion.com.

Fan Fusion

June 6–8 at the Phoenix• Convention Center

Kids 12 & under are FREE! (with a paid adult admission)

Get your passes at FanFusion.com

Learn from a Master at Lightsaber Training

by Reporter Maya Pieterse, Immaculate Heart School

“Using a lightsaber is just good fun! It’s one of the most iconic weapons in history. Everyone knows what it is. There is just something about wielding a fantasy weapon in real life–it brings out the joy in you,” says Peter Borg of Borg’s Saber Academy in Phoenix.

I sat down with Borg to learn about the academy and discuss his role in Phoenix Fan Fusion. Borg and a friend, who later became business partners, developed a curriculum combining lightsabers with martial arts. Seven years ago, they partnered with Phoenix Saber Academy, which hosts their classes.

The classes run for one hour and teach students eight attacks and eight blocks, along with choreographed lightsaber fights that include proper footwork. There are seven different lightsaber forms that take several years to master. I was surprised to learn that some groups even engage in lightsaber sparring, but participants must wear full body armor since being hit with a lightsaber is comparable to being struck with a long, thin bat.

Borg Academy boasts instructors with decades of martial arts experience to complement their lightsaber training. Borg himself has three black belts in various martial arts. He loves getting into a Jedi costume and teaching kids at birthday parties, another service that Borg Academy offers.

At Phoenix Fan Fusion, Borg will teach a 25-minute class–basically a short version of his original class–twice a day over the three-day event. Come meet Borg and his partners, including Kenny Novero of Phoenix Saber Academy, and get trained. I would love to go because a new Star Wars movie called “Starfighter” has been announced for release in May 2027. I want to start the fun now!

Join ASU Quidditch at Fan Fusion

by Reporter Briana Williams, Arizona Desert Elementary

Harry Potter is one of the most well-known and best-selling fantasy novels ever. Warner Bros. Pictures even produced multiple movies fans can enjoy based on the books written by J.K. Rowling. As the Harry Potter franchise grew in popularity, it almost seemed that the books were coming to life. There were people left and right dressed up as the characters, theme parks built the wizarding world, and fans began playing the magical sport of quidditch.

Fan Fusion just so happens to host fun quidditch games that anyone, young or old, can play. You’re probably wondering, “Who runs the games?” Well, real quidditch/quadball players from Arizona State University guide participants by teaching them the ways of quidditch. Matt Gianvito and Bryanna McLaughlin gave me INSIGHT to ASU’s Quadball team.

Quidditch was first introduced to students at ASU back in 2009. At the time it was very popular nationwide and was found on many college campuses. Colleges participated in regional and national competitions against other universities. When quidditch first started it was truly based on the books and movies with players wearing capes and using actual brooms during games. However, it has changed to jerseys and PVC pipes that act as brooms. Quidditch is a contact sport, however rules have been changed to better serve the safety of players. But don’t let that stop you from participating during Fan Fusion. McLaughlin and Gianvito have shared that special rules have been put into place to keep everyone safe. McLaughlin shared that the best part about quidditch/quadball is the community, diversity and inclusivity.

One of Gianvito’s favorite things about the sport is building friendships and relationships with other players. And you, too, can form a friendship when you play with the ASU Quidditch team during Fan Fusion.

See You There!