JOM/ACFS Olympic Day

By Rachelle Garrow-Hayes

Glistening in the hot, humid, August air the Johnson O'Malley and Akwesasne Child and Family Services summer program students came together for the first time to participate in some friendly Olympic day competitions. This day commemorated the end of each summer program and took place on Monday August 10 at the St. Regis Mohawk School.

Mr. Alex Kormanyos, JOM recreation coordinator, explained that 110 students from the JOM and ACFS program enjoyed a day of running, an obstacle course, balloon tossing, hula hooping, bounce houses and water slides as a finale to end both programs for the summer. "This is the first time that both programs have been brought together for an Olympic day. The idea was formed and we got together with ACFS and brainstormed ideas on how we wanted the day to go and what we wanted to do. It was a short planning time but things went well for the first time and the kids had fun."

"This is a good way to bridge the gap between the border and promote healthy lifestyles and athleticism for the youth." said Akwesasne Community Support worker, Mr. Jordan Tarbell. "We have been working together for the last two weeks planning this Olympic day. It's going well and keeping the kids from the X-boxes."

JOM and ACFS summer programs provide supplementary, culturally appropriate programs and services that meet the unique educational needs of the students of Akwesasne. "We took the students to Montreal, Six Flags, the Aquatic Club, and Meacham Lake" commented Mr. Tarbell. "We had cultural week and did lessons on internet and water safety this summer. We wanted to provide a lot of different experiences for the students."

The summer participants at JOM have structured time during the day with classes in physical education, music, art, and library. Culture classes are three times a week with beach day on Wednesday while Fridays are reserved for bowling or a movie.

Students aged 6 years old to age 11 were able to sign up for the Olympic day events, ahead of time. Most competitive events were set up by age groups with every participant receiving a ribbon. "There are no losers, only winners today." Mr. Kormanyos told all the participants before the games started.

Both programs had their summer program counselors on hand to help set up, demonstrate and guide students through the games and participate in some of the competitions. The morning went by quickly and soon it was already lunch time. The students were fed a lunch of hot dogs, wraps, chips and fruit prepared by Barbara Derouchie and her cafeteria staff.

After lunch was the long anticipated time to cool off on the huge water slides provided by Hilltop Inflatables. There were also bounce houses for participants to jump out all their energy and some students enjoyed an exciting game of badminton or four square.

“I thought the Olympic day went well.” commented Samantha Phillips, JOM acting director. “It was a great way for ACFS and JOM to work together. The kids had a great time and the staff enjoyed it as well. Annie Cree and Becky Smoke had set up the initial play day with ACFS and we’re hoping to make it an annual event with maybe a Summer Cup to be passed back and forth between the programs.”

“The day went well, it was hot but everyone enjoyed it. I think the water slide in the afternoon was the favorite part of the day.” commented Mr. Kormanyos. The students agreed but many said that they also really liked the obstacle course. All had fun and they can’t wait for next summer to do it again.