Two area schools took part in the 3rd Annual Native American Student Association (NASA) Games on Oct. 14, bringing home second and third place. Chandler High School placed second and Meeker High School placed third.
“It was so much fun. The kids really enjoyed themselves,” said Ashley Kuczinski, who is in charge of NASA at Chandler High School, along with Inda Jo Conway. “I think they enjoyed themselves… Most of the kids that went were freshmen, so hopefully it’ll keep growing.”
This is the third year Chandler has participated, and each year they’ve had a few more kids want to go, taking 17 this year. Kuczinski said it brought together kids who might have otherwise hung out together. Cynthia Snider, Chandler’s Title VI coordinator, added that another positive is having Native American students come together to share their culture.
But now that they’ve gotten close to winning the whole thing, Kucinski said they’re focused for next year.
“I told them I was like, all right, you guys came. You know how fun it is. Tell your friends. Next year will be double. We’re gonna win this thing,” she said.
Meeker High School took 17 students during their first outing to the games.
“The students had a great time participating in such a great event. It was a great opportunity for all of our Indian students to come together for fun, fellowship and collaboration,” said Jennie Bemo, director of Indian Education at Meeker. “We will be back next year.”
She went on to say that the best part of the day was when Meeker played kickball. They had two students with special needs that the other team noticed. They let them kick the ball and get on base, all the while acting like they were going to get them out, though they didn’t.
“It was great to see their faces when they got to cross home plate. What great sportsmanship and care from the other team,” Bemo said.
This was the second year the event was hosted at Cushing High School, as the school has won the last three years in a row -- the idea is that whichever school wins hosts the next year’s games.
Silas Guerrero, Title VI coordinator at Cushing High School, said there were about 10 schools and around 200 students that participated this year and that the event continues to grow.
The event involved all the schools competing in several events, such as tug of war, relays, obstacle courses, axe-throwing and more. While they had hoped to incorporate more traditional Native American games, Guerrero said the equipment was a bit hard to come by. However, they had help from the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma and Sac and Fox Nation.
He said the Iowa Tribe behavioral health and education department assists with games, brings equipment, and helps supply food. The Sac and Fox education department sends all of their staff to assist with running the games.
“It is kind of neat because we get tribal collaboration, which is very, very good. And I try to tell some of the schools whenever they do get involved or if they’re thinking about coming or trying to come, that we do have tribal collaboration, which is very good, especially for our Title VI funding,” Guerrero said.
He said the games are a great way for Native students to get out there and get involved, as well as meet other Native American students.