Football is the biggest fall sport without a doubt; then comes volleyball, and soccer. But what is cross-country? Cross-country is a, "no guts, no glory" sport, where high school competition races are a 5K distance, or in other words 3.1 grueling miles. In this sport, the athletes do not necessarily have to work as a team, but work against their mind, and pain.

Few Native American athletes have been recognized for outstanding achievement in sports. Jim Thorpe, who is a very well known athlete, is one of the few. Jim competed, and took the Olympic decathlon, and pentathlon in 1912. Billy Mills, another Native American runner, was the only American to win a gold medal in the 10,000-meter race, let alone the last American to even compete in that race. These men are the good athletic examples of not only for America, but for the Native American people as well.

What about our local native runners? Cross Country at Pendleton High School was never a well-recognized sport. The talent on the team isn't exactly, outstanding, considering we haven't won a districts meet in about 15 years. On the other hand, the team did have talent. The top runner was sophomore, Christine Harwood, who trains year round for cross country, and track. That was until freshman; Samantha McCloud took the lead after only two meets of running on Christine's heels. Samantha is an enrolled member of the Umatilla tribe, and is the daughter of Mike McCloud. She not only excels in running, but also in basketball, and looks forward to this year at Pendleton. McCloud qualified for state as an individual representing Pendleton at the Districts meet in The Dalles, with the time of 20:37.5. Another state qualifier was Shoni Schimmel, who runs for Hermiston, with the time of 19:22.7. She is a freshman, and is running with well-known Hermiston senior Jennifer Macias. Being only freshmen, these two have a lot to look forward to in running.

Another native was the top runner on the boys’ side. This was Darren Burnside who ran his best official time of a 17:53. Darren has been running all four years at Pendleton. Although he is a good runner, Hermiston’s outstanding boys team often shadows him. Other natives on the team were Cekais Ganuelas, Angel Williams, and Nika Kash Kash.

In history, it is said that some tribes used to compete for buffalo robes, or blankets. Now we compete for a state title, or just for glory. Running has been in the blood of Native Americans for hundreds of years now, and it is something that should be recognized once again. Right here, on our own reservation, we have outstanding runners that should be recognized, and encouraged, with respect.

Early last week Morris Umeno, who is a computer arts teacher at Roosevelt High school, in Honolulu, Hawaii, came to visit Nixyaawii Community School.

During our publications class, he presented to us a powerpoint on the program he is involved in, which is called The Arts and Communications Academy.

Morris told us that his school ranges from Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and Japanese students. The school has about 1500 students, but within his program there are about 60. He told us that this program are for those students who like a hands on approach. The program is to get these students to think, "outside of the box," Morris said. He told us that they teach skills that are used in other classes to help them succeed.

CUJ Teaches Publication Students

As a class last Wednesday, we walked over to the CUJ office to talk and ask questions with Will Phinney, the editor for the CUJ. The main question was how he managed to get a full newspaper out every month, with only one person on full time duty. Will has been working as a writer for around 30 years, he is well experienced, and knows what he is doing. Since the CUJ has won journal excellence the last five years from Native American journalist association, and best tabloid layout, our community should be very thankful to have him.

To get the newspaper out every month, they work with the printers at the East Oregonian in Pendleton. The expenses are very high, but the cost is often broke even by advertisements. Will is paid through the tribe like other employees. Photographs are taken by Tara Burnside who works parttime for the CUJ.

Will also told us that anything can make a story. He helped us realize little details to make a newspaper better. Even color coordinating , that nobody may pay attention to, can balance out a page. He pointed out that when people read a newspaper they tend to look at the right page first, in this case he places the more interesting articles, and pictures on the right pages.