'I miss you all, and watch out for me on TV'

Jacob Robertson and Chris Driscoll are best friends. They both attend Basinview Elementary in Bedford and they are both in Grade 5. They like to go camping and they both love to read. Jacob wants to be a geologist, Chris wants to be a paleontologist and now, thanks to the television show Are you Smarter than a Canadian Fifth Grader, they both want to be part-time actors.

When they heard auditions for the show were being held in Halifax, both boys decided to go for it. According to Driscoll, it was an "awesome" experience that he'll never forget. Ultimately, he made the Top 12 and Robertson was chosen to be on the show, which is now taping in Toronto. Driscoll is happy for his best friend, and is anxiously awaiting his return.

In the meantime, Jacob is soaking up the star treatment in downtown Toronto.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity," he said from his hotel room. "I'm having so much fun. The rehearsals are fun and the studio set is cool and the other kids are great and we're visiting lots of places."

Back at Basinview Elementary, students and teachers alike are excited about their friend's moment in the spotlight.

"Jacob and Christopher both have a wonderful sense of fun about them and they're both caring of others," said principal Pam Comeau. "We're very proud of them."

According to Jacob, all of the kids are having a blast with the show's host comedian, Colin Mochrie.

"He's great with the kids. They've all gone out to dinner together," she said. "He loves them and they love him."

Jacob's mom Brenda said the whole television set, crew and so on is certainly a new experience and so far it's been fun, but they both miss home, where dad John and brothers Tyler and Gavin are waiting for them.

Brenda said his father and both of his brothers are very proud of Jacob, and four-year-old Gavin has taken it a step further.

He asked his dad to put up a Fifth Grader bulletin board with clippings and pictures of Jacob on it," she said. "He also goes around singing the theme song to the show, and tells everyone he sees that his brother is going to be on "gifth fader."

To his biggest fan Gavin and to all of his family and friends back home, Jacob would like to say:

"I miss you all, and watch out for me on TV."

Are You Smarter Than a Canadian Fifth Grader will air later this fall.

blhall@ns.sympatico.ca