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Canku Ota |
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(Many Paths) |
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An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America |
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April 5, 2003 - Issue 84 |
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Leupp Honors its Basketball Champs |
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By S.J. Wilson - Navajo-Hopi
Observer
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Leupp Spirits were high at Leupp Schools Inc. on March 14, a day the community chose to honor their State Championship winners both the girls and boys high school teams took first place in the Small School Interscholastic Association tournament.
This is the first time LSI has achieved this honor. Awards
were handed out to all team members before an enthusiastic crowd. Most
Valuable Players were Byron Manekeja (boys) and Orlanda "Muzzie"
Chee (girls). But all of the kids were clearly respected winners in LSI.
The
boys team consisted of Ferdelle Cody, Lawrence Begay, Malcolm VanWinkle,
Stuart Cody, Justin Blackwater, Byron Manekeja, Lou Begay, Kyle Chee,
Ronderick Begay and Eric Begay. The
girls team featured Randi Shauna Cook, Deynese Tso, Kirstin Riggs, Deena
Wilson, Michella Benally, Maranda "Moe" Chee, Orlanda Chee,
Standrea Ashley and Cynthia Ashley. Stanley
and Ernestine Ashley, parents of the Ashley girls, were presented with
the gift of $50 as the LSI Teams most dedicated parents. "We
attended every game. I'm just happy for them, that they won,"
Ernestine Ashley said. Players
also gave gifts their parents and relatives, recognizing that without
their support, becoming champions would be more difficult. An
honored guest, Kodiak Yazzie of the Northern Arizona University basketball
team, was on hand to congratulate the team and to offer support and advice.
Yazzie, who appeared as part of a collaborative effort between NAU and
LSI, distinguished himself at Coconino High School before making the university
team. He said he enjoys visiting the reservation, where he receives special
treatment. A junior at NAU, Yazzie spoke to school assembly about the
importance of focusing on education, avoiding drugs and alcohol, and of
working hard to achieve goals. "Stay
in school, get your education," he said. "It's what has
given me the chance to play in a Division I school. Take advantage of
the opportunities you have right now." His
status as an athlete, Yazzie said, has given him the opportunity to travel
all around the United States. "Stay
away from drugs and alcohol. This is something you don't want to
get involved in," he said. "In my experience, I've seen
people mess up opportunities they've had or could have had."
He
spoke of how attention to his education gave him the opportunity to play
with NAU. "I
would hate it when my mother would make me do my homework, but it really
paid off in opportunities, including scholarships." Yazzie
said he's very grateful to his parents, Donna and Steve Yazzie, who
reside in Flagstaff. Girls
Coach Elsie Shirley told team members how proud she was of them, of the
community's love for them. The
Boys Coach, Derek Blackhorse, expressed his pride in the team, and spoke
of his own pride in his first year of coaching. "It was a big challenge
for me," he said. "If I can achieve a goal, all of you can reach
your goals as well!" Cindy
Joe, Principal of LSI said that she and the whole community are all very
proud of the teams. "It's been very good for them," she said. "They have put LSI on the map. We are too small to make it into the big leagues, but we have a lot of students with talent and skills a lot of potential."
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