Nels Cremean flips sixth grader Ben Andrews upside down so other St. Luke Lutheran students can read the sign he's holding during a Special Friend Day assembly at the school on Tuesday. Cremean of Buffalo, N.Y., is a professional entertainer with a Christian message. He traveled to St. Luke to speak as part of the school's celebration of Lutheran Schools Week.

JEFFERSON TWP — Nels Cremean ensured his audience got laughs during his juggling routine Tuesday morning.

"Like my mother told me, if you can't laugh at yourself, someone will," he said.

He also saw to it that they got a little character education.

"Always give your best," he advised.

Cremean, a professional entertainer with a Christian message, traveled to St. Luke Lutheran School from his home in Buffalo, N.Y., as part of the school's celebration of Lutheran Schools Week.

It also was Special Friend Day — an annual tradition where students invite a guest for the morning of a school day. Tuesday's activities were shortened when frigid weather delayed the start of classes. However, many special friends still made the trip to join their younger counterparts for the juggling assembly.

Among the visitors was Judy Kellner of Kittanning, the paternal grandmother of fifth grade student Emily Zappi.

Emily said this was the first time her grandmother joined her for Special Friend Day. Previously, she had asked her little brothers.

"She's never been with me before," said Emily, of Cabot.

Kellner said she couldn't resist when Emily invited her several weeks ago."I love my grandkids," she said. "I never say no."Emily had hoped her grandmother would see how much fun they had in the mornings at school. Classroom activities and chapel service were canceled by the delayed start, but both said they enjoyed the juggling act.Grandparents were a favorite choice for Special Friend Day. But, sixth grade student Brady Mathews of Mars chose a former tutor.Mary Jean Montag of Cabot tutored Brady in reading two or three years ago and has intermittently kept in touch.Montag, who taught at the school for 45 years before retiring several years ago, said Brady even surprised her last summer with a jar of jam he made after picking the berries himself.Brady said in the past he's had grandparents join him for Special Friend Day. This year, he invited Montag "because she's really nice and fun," he said."I was very pleased," Montag said of the invitation. "Someone wanted me."She said she was glad to have the chance to reconnect with Brady and see how his studies improved. Brady said he planned to share with Montag the agility exercises he does in his after-school hours.

The week at St. Luke is highlighted with various other activities. Emily said she was most looking forward to ice cream on Thursday. Crafts, speakers and a student-faculty volleyball game also are planned for the students.For the adults, the week is a chance to remind the community of the school's presence and history.Founded in 1866, St. Luke now enrolls about 200 students ranging from 2 years old to eighth grade. Two other Lutheran Schools — Redeemer Lutheran School of Oakmont and Christ Lutheran School of Forest Hills — also are part of the Pittsburgh Area Lutheran Schools, which is part of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. The Pittsburgh schools were scheduled to gather at St. Luke Tuesday afternoon for a showing of the juggling act, rumored to have a grand finale: While juggling on a balance board, Cremean slices an apple with a spatula.

Professional juggler and comedian Nels Cremean of Buffalo, NY juggles pins in an assembly during Special Friends Day at St. Luke's Lutheran School in Jefferson Twp on Tuesday March 3, 2009.

Fifth grader Makayla Burtner, right, and her godmother Gwen Pysh laugh Tuesday during a performance by Nels Cremean at St. Luke Lutheran School in Jefferson Township. Tuesday was Special Friend Day — when students can take a friend to school for a morning — which is part of the school's weeklong celebration of Lutheran schools.