The Force was strong at C.H. Booth Library when it hosted three sessions last weekend of Padawan Lightsaber Training.

The October 16 classes were taught by members of the Saber Guild, including local director Kate Slomkowski as Sith Kaimos, assistant local director Eric Colson as Jedi Nas Rexi, William Moskaluk as Luke Skywalker, Kris McIntyre as Jedi Lethe, and Kat Seelig as Rey.

Slomkowski told The Newtown Bee, “Saber Guild is an international not-for-profit, LucasFilm-recognized Star Wars costuming group that specializes in choreographed lightsaber shows. Kessel Temple is the local Connecticut chapter of the organization. We perform at charity and community events, as well as comic book and sci-fi conventions, all to raise money for charity and share our love of Star Wars with fans around the world.”

Upon entering the meeting room of the library, students were stationed as individual circle marks and given a training lightsaber. The program was for ages 6-10.

At the start of the class, Luke Skywalker told the students the training was being conducted because, “We’re always looking for younglings.”

He then explained that the greatest tool in the universe is The Force, an energy field created by all living things that binds the galaxy together.

For a lesson in The Force, the students were instructed to quickly rub their hands together, release them, then try to push their hands back together, leading them to feel some invisible resistance.

“What you’re feeling is energy,” Skywalker explained.

Harnessing that power, the class then practiced pushing that energy toward Jedi Nas Rexi. After a few tries, they used all their might and it sent him flying backwards.

“The force is strong with this group,” Skywalker noted.

He then went over the three important rules of Padawan Lightsaber Training, which were to only use the lightsaber for defense, always stay on their training circle mark, and to always listen to the jedi instructors — as well as their parents.

Once everyone knew to follow those guidelines, the students were taught a handful of basic and advanced moves, including how to protect their head and legs if an opponent was to try to attack them with a lightsaber.

After learning those maneuvers, Sith Kaimos suddenly entered the room and challenged the power of the students.

The children got to show off their individuals moves as they fought against Sith Kaimos and Jedi Nas Rexi.

Sith Kaimos was so impressed with the group that she tried to sway them to become Siths. Thanks to the power of The Force, however, the students were able to persevere and not be lured to the dark side.

Luke Skywalker applauded the class for their skills and concluded the class by saying, “Being a jedi is a lifelong practice that never ends.”

The students then received a certificate for completing their Padawan Lightsaber Training and were welcomed to take photos with the cast of instructors.

For more information about the Saber Guild, visit saberguild.org. To stay up to date with Kessel Temple's adventures, follow them on Facebook and Instagram @ctsaberguild.

Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.