FSMNOC HOSTS 1st YEPOV SEMINAR

Written by Gina Tobin

Thursday, 21 January 2010

The Young Educators Promoting Olympic Values (YEPOV) seminar was held from January 13 – 15, 2010 on Pohnpei.  Teacher and student participants from Pohnpei Central High School (PICS), Seventh Day Adventist High School (SDA), Calvary Christian Academy (CCA), Madolenihmw High School (MHS), Nanpei Memorial High School (NMHS), and College of Micronesia (COM) – Pohnpei and FSM Campuses took part in the three-day seminar.  The FSM National Olympic Committee (FSMNOC) applied for an International Olympic Committee (IOC) Culture and Education grant through the Women and Sport in Oceania (WASO).  Helen Brownlee, President of WASO and Vice Chairperson of the IOC Culture and Education Committee, came in from Australia to initiate the new pilot program.  Brownlee and Lestly Ashby, FSMNOC Sport Development Officer, were the seminar coordinators. Participants included: Alex Kalau, Maria Capelle, B-Ann Lekka, Jeffrey Hadley, Margaret Worswick, Kay Mulholland, Meaulinda Silbanuz, Julaine Pablo, Burth William, Albert Benjamin, Johnny Leben, Tommy-Lee Obed, Panrasko Ardos, Anitra Ligorio, Reloliza Saimon, Dionisio Augustine, Tracy David, Ryan Ifamilik, Emerson Eperiam, Evangelyn Airens, Strickson Fredrick, Edwin Sione, and Bollie Ludwig Taulung. The opening ceremony was held on Wednesday, January 13.  Berney Martin, President of FSMNOC, welcomed all participants to the first YEPOV seminar.  Dr. Vita A. Skilling, Secretary of FSM Health & Social Affairs, was a guest speaker and shared inspiring and motivating words with the future peer-educators.  Brownlee presented on the Olympic movement, Olympic values, and YEPOV goals and initiatives.  Other speakers included: Jim Tobin, FSMNOC Secretary General, past FSM Olympic athletes Debra Daniel, Kerson Hadley and Welbert Samuel, and 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games FSM athletes Dionisio Augustine, Reloliza Saimon and Rayleen David.  The participants contributed in discussions on what these Olympic values (excellence, respect, and friendship) mean and formulated plans to implement activities at their schools as peer educators. Brownlee stated: “The ultimate goal of this workshop is to inspire young people to be ambassadors for the Olympic values.  Young people sharing a strong message they believe in with other young people is very powerful.  They can share these values by doing activities at their schools, in the community, and elementary schools.” The closing ceremony was held on Friday, January 15.  Australian Ambassador to the FSM Susanne Cox joined the procession in handing out certificates and t-shirts for all the participants.  Tracy David, 17, from NMHS, said that she had never played sports, but learned that “sports are not just about playing, but learning excellence, respect for others, and making friends.”  David also added that she can apply these Olympic values to her daily life and share these values by example to her friends and family.  Alex Kalau, 16, from CCA, who plays for his high school basketball team, said that he learned more about the Olympic movement and how the Olympics promote peace and bring cultures together.  When asked what he thought the overall message was, he said: “It doesn’t hurt to try out a sport – it’s about learning and trying your best.  There are a lot of benefits from participating in sports.” The FSMNOC would like thank the IOC, WASO, Helen Brownlee, Department of Education, the schools, and participants.  The FSMNOC is in the process of applying for additional IOC Culture and Education and WASO grants to hold YEPOV seminars in Chuuk, Kosrae, and Yap in the next few months, with Ashby as the instructor.

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 03 March 2010 )