Friday, March 29, 2024

iMPACT kids enjoy ‘Navajo Ninja’ course

SHIPROCK

Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi | Navajo Times
Jodi Sanisya, 12, an incoming sixth grade student at Atsa Biyaazh Community School, attempts to climb the wall on the Ninja Warrior course, which was a part of the 2018 iMPACT Shiprock Youth and Activities Camp held July 22-27th at Shiprock High School.

If there is one thing that Lillieanna Nelson learned this summer, it’s that living a healthy life is the way to go.

Nelson, 10, who will be a fifth-grade student at Nenahnezad Community School this coming school year, was one of nearly 600 adolescents who learned the valuable lesson at the 2018 iMPACT Shiprock Youth and Activities Camp.

“I learned to always stay fit and to always exercise,” she said.

The camp, which took place July 22-27, saw a total of 567 youth participants from 4-18 years old and a total of 318 volunteers made up of community members, out-of-state church groups, and many others.

The camp featured daily camps and workshops, including all major sports, arts and crafts, presentations, motivational speaking engagements, free haircuts, kids’ triathlon, community Zumba, and resource booths for parents.

One of the more popular events was the Navajo Ninja obstacle course, which featured two men who competed in American Ninja Warrior, Brandon Todacheenie and Abram Benally.

The two guided kids throughout the obstacle course that was a kid-size version of the American Ninja Warrior course.

Todacheenie said the event has grown on the participants after its debut at iMPACT last year.

“I think a lot more kids are into these types of activities just because it involves every part of your body; you’re using your hands and your feet to get through the course,” he said. “A lot of kids just like the different activities and it’s really good to see some of these guys do this.”

Todacheenie just finished his fourth year competing in American Ninja Warrior, which just wrapped up season 10.

He said he’s wanted to return home to Shiprock and the area to introduce the sport to others.

“A lot of kids say it’s really challenging and really hard,” Todacheenie said. “A lot of kids, they’re not used to this type of obstacle but they keep coming back and doing it over and over again, and they’ve gotten better at it. To see that makes me feel like I’m doing a good job out here.”


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About The Author

Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi

Sunnie Clahchischiligi has been the sports writer for the Navajo Times since 2008. She has a bachelor’s degree in print journalism from the University of New Mexico. Before joining the Times, she worked at the St. Cloud Times (Minn.), the Albuquerque Journal, the Santa Fe New Mexican, Sports Illustrated Magazine in New York City and the Salt Lake Tribune. She can be reached at sunnie@navajotimes.com or via cell at (505) 686-0769.

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