Proving you can be what you want to be

Christine Carrillo

When people think of yo-yos, they don’t immediately think of an

educational tool for elementary students. Most people wouldn’t see

the educational connection unless world champion yo-yoers Michael Lee

and Marty Christesson of USA Yo-Yo Extravaganza showed them.

Wearing bright purple and blue sequined shirts, more in tune with

a disco than an elementary school, the two animated men demonstrated

their yo-yoing talents to kindergarteners and first- through

sixth-grade students at the Hebrew Academy in Huntington Beach last

week.

“I think the children were really interested,” said Nancy Field,

principal. “As a yo-yo champion, they see that they can do it, too,

if they want to.”

The notion that anyone can become a champion if they try hard

enough was the underlying theme and purpose of the assembly.

As Lee began telling a story about his yo-yo, NED, the students

slowly began to perk up, listen and interact with the yo-yo champion

himself, which became one of the most engaging aspects of the event.

“Our friend NED is more than just a yo-yo,” Lee told the audience.

“His name [means]: Never give up; Encourage others; Do your best. You

never know what you can do until you try.”

The hilarity of the two men immediately engaged the younger

students, which enabled them to convey their message more

emphatically, but it took longer for the older students and adult

audience members to get in the groove of the educational performance.

They eventually did, and when 8-year-old Yossi Gollub responded to

Lee’s questions about being a champion, they were hooked.

“What’s it going to take for you to be a champion?” Lee asked the

students.

“To never give up,” Gollub responded when called upon.

“What do want to be a champion at, some day?” Lee asked Yossi

directly.

“A billionaire,” he answered.

After the shock of his answer subsided, Lee presented Yossi with a

balloon hat and congratulated him on a great performance.

With a few more walking the dog and rocking the cradle tricks, Lee

once again re-emphasized his achievement and each students’ endless

opportunities for success.

“We came here to encourage you to achieve your goals and

challenges,” Lee said. “We all have different talents. If you want to

be good at the yo-yo you’ve got to practice and work hard. ... Always

do your best and never give up.”