NYO
By RYAN DEMIENTIEFF
Staff writer
Galena high school students participate in the Native Youth Olympics competition. Native Youth Olympics, also known as NYO is an activity for students all around Alaska and anyone can participate. Events at NYO include the Eskimo stick pull, the wrist carry, the one-hand reach, the kneel jump, the Alaska high kick, and the seal hop. The events are based on traditional Native competitive events.
Derick Esmailka is the coach of the NYO in Galena. Students practice from 6 to 7:30 p.m. during the week.
“NYO is open to anybody who wants to join and not only for NYO; it’s a good workout and have lots of fun,” said Mr. Esmailka. During practice, students will stretch, run 10 laps, cardio, and have core workouts every day.
The Native Youth Olympics are held in Anchorage. for 2010-2011 results came too late for press time. Six people went to Anchorage for the NYO and they were Francis Vaska, Isaiah Shavings, Josh Dewey, Velma Stein, Katherine Gregg, and Ravell Sanford. I asked Francis “what was Anchorage like?” he replied “ It was amazing I got to watch a couple new state records being broken along with the world record being broken in the one arm reach, 71 inches. “How did you do?” I asked Francis “I choked on the Alaskan high and came near last place.
“Galena will be back…that’s it” Francis commented.
After I interviewed Francis I interviewed Isaiah Shavings I asked him “what was Anchorage like?” he replied “It was just like any time when I was I in Anchorage, we stayed at the Marriot hotel in Downtown Anchorage.” “How did you do in the competition?” Isaiah replied “overall I think I did well but didn’t place in any medals”Isaiah commented “for next year students that didn’t join NYO should join because it’s an amazing experience”
