Hagatna, Gu. (Nov. 27, 2019) – Manukai Athletics Club is a swim team that was established in 1966. Manukai trains swimmers from ages four to 21, at varying swimming skill levels while establishing bonds between the team mates, coaches and the swim community.

The club practices at the Agana Pool from 4 to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Swimmers at Manukai have the opportunity to excel in the swimming world and participate in various non-aquatic activities.

Kiantae Laguana, 26, a swim coach at Manukai, said that there are four levels in Manukai.

Levels one and two focus on basic water safety skills and swim techniques, while levels three and four focus on developing the skill acquired from the previous level, for competitive swimmers. 

The swimmers in levels three and four have opportunities to compete in local swim meets, in competitions at a national level in Saipan and Hawaii, and even have the opportunity to compete at an international level.

Timothy Fedenko, the president of Manukai, 53, is the secretary of the Guam Swimming Federation and a level-two International Swimming Federation certified coach.

Fedenko said swimmers engage in a variety of activities to work different muscles and have a complete training.

Swimmers from levels three and four also do other activities that differ from their usual routine, such as water polo, dry-land training, running and weight training.

Head coach Takamasa Diaz, 26, states that Manukai is currently trying to coordinate with Asahi Onogawa, 25, a top swimmer in Japan, to give the swimmers on Guam the opportunity to train in Japan to reach a higher caliber.

Training can be taken further, to an even higher level.

Fedenko explained that if swimmers above the age of 21 want to further their swimming career, they can do a Master Class, which is offered by the Guam Swimming Federation.

The Master Class allows swimmers to be nominated to compete in FINA competitions, the Olympics, Micronesian Games, Oceania Swimming Championships, and the South Pacific Games, if their swimming times meet the criteria set by the Guam Swimming Federation.

 “They have the opportunity to swim under the Guam flag at the Olympics,” Fendenko said. “That’s their goal.”

While one of Manukai’s main goals is to help swimmers advance their athletic abilities, they also want to strengthen the swimmers’ bonds and friendships.

Diaz said after Saturday practices, the kids usually go out and eat pizza together, and the coaches grab something to eat together as well. During the last swim meet of the year, Manukai has a big party to close off the season.

Laguana highly recommends that everyone learns to swim.

 “So when you go with friends or family to the beach, you’re safe and aware of how to be in and around the water,” Laguana said.  

Swimming is an important skill to have, but water safety is just as important.

 “Our goal is to get everyone on Guam to swim,” Fedenko said.

If you would like further information on Manukai Athletics Club, you can go to the Agana Pool from Tuesday to Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. and speak to any of the coaches.

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DEDEDO, Gu. (Nov. 3, 2019) – The Guam Community College held its College Fair at the Micronesian Mall on Nov. 3, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event gave prospective students information about the services, major course studies and certification programs offered at GCC. An emphasis on job satisfaction was a highlighted objective.

The GCC fair’s goal was to increase student enrollment rates for spring semester 2020. The event drew in hundreds of high school students and spectators who attended to witness presentations, entertainment and booths.

GCC offers 74 major courses of study and certificate programs. About 15 major courses of study and certification programs had booths run by students and staff, who shared information about their programs and GCC. The fair featured a raffle, booths and live performances. The marketing, culinary, education, cosmetology, pre-nursing, criminal justice, and the electrician and automotive programs conducted their booths are the fair. 

Keoni Smau-Pesch, a GCC student majoring in criminal justice law enforcement administration, shared his experiences with GCC. 

 “[GCC] is a great campus overall,” he said. “The staff and everybody that’s involved with the college is a good community.” 

He continues, saying that he really believes professors care about the community and students’ success. 

Smau-Pesch also states, “the fair has a good turn out, it’s well organized, and it’s a great experience for me to represent not only GCC, but specifically the criminal justice side.” 

Hernalin Analista, 43, a GCC associate professor of assessment and counseling, offered insight on pursuing a college degree.

She said that higher education is the ticket to success.

“It opens doors for opportunity,” Analista said. “Higher education, whether it be for two years or four, results in higher earnings.”

“Happiness in the career that one chooses is definitely what an individual should aim for,” she said. “We take interest areas into account in order to assess what career one should pursue.”

Student presenters assisted visitors in understanding GCC’s objectives and programs. 21-year-old GCC senior and digital communication and marketing major, Jeffrey De Vera, assisted in organizing the fair.

“Take risks,” De Vera said. “It will take you to the next step to the opportunity that you want. It can lead to confidence and satisfaction in any career.”

De Vera works as a junior graphic artist for the Denny’s Guam Inc. marketing department.

The Reach for College Hagu’i Kuleho Program also hosted a booth. This program provides information and services to students for their success in intermediate, secondary and post-secondary schools.

According to Ely Damian, the program coordinator at Reach for College, “[the program] has a learning lab at GCC and it’s open to middle and high school students, as well as post-secondary students. They come in for tutoring services.”

The Reach for College booth distributed free pamphlets and bookmarks outlining GCC services and steps on how to apply to GCC and FAFSA.

Reach for College also allows students to use their computers and print for free, leads campus tours, conducts FAFSA workshops, college preparatory advisement, career goal evaluations, and summer and winter programs.

Inquiring students can find GCC at 1 Sesame St., Mangilao, Guam.  Keep up to date with GCC by following their Twitter account at @GuamCC. The admissions section of the GCC website at https://guamcc.edu/admissions has more information on enrollment and registration.

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YIGO, Gu. (Oct. 6, 2019) – Guam Animals in Need has always needed volunteers, and its needs were met by Larry Gast, 62, who visits the animal shelter almost every weekend.

Gast is an important part of the volunteer team because he is reliable and dedicated to helping the animals. Gast, who is originally from Florida, is also the current general manager at Guam Solid Waste Authority.

Gast has volunteered at GAIN since May 2019. At the shelter, he washes the dogs, cleans their cages, and feeds and walks them.

“Larry is just great, he helps with everything,” said Ray Hiroshi, animal caregiver at GAIN. “When he comes in, you can be sure that majority, if not all the dogs, will be able to go out and have playtime and exercise.”

Animals have always been an integral part of Gast’s life, and he feels that he connects immediately with them.

Gast said: “I’ve caught rattle snakes, I’ve wrestled alligators, I’ve captured wild animals that the mother would like to eat me up. I’ve been associated with animals since I was a small child I have always had dogs and cats.” I love giving my pets CBD by following this website articles advice.

Gast shared some of his happiest memories while volunteering.

He was in the dog park at GAIN with five dogs. Three dogs were playing with him and two were sitting right beside him. “I have the best dogs in the world,” Gast said.

Gast also shared some of the saddest memories that he has had at GAIN.

He described two other dogs.

Okiyama was a huge black dog that would go to the back of his cage and growl at anyone who went near the outside of his cage.

Tano, a smaller dog, was unable to learn to walk on a leash.

Gast said Okiyama was the sweetest dog when you went into his cage and played with him, and Tano was a happy and friendly dog too.

Unfortunately, they were put down because their demeanor made it hard for them to get adopted. Gast wants each animal to find a caring home, and is concerned for them, especially in situations like this.

“If you’re thinking about getting an animal, come by here and fall in love with ours,” Gast said. Gast said that his dream is for all GAIN animals to have a fair chance at a good home.

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By Gabby Camacho

Guam residents can look forward to the Guahan Made Me craft fair.

The fair will have aspiring local entrepreneurs’ art and products for sale at the Tamuning Senior Center on Nov. 30.

Dayanara Calma, owner of Vidalocal, a local jewelry company, is organizing the craft fair.

The fair will feature art, beauty, fashion, jewelry, and cultural products from local businesses. Only local businesses are qualified to sell their products at the event.

Calma states that she has always wanted to help small, local businesses on Guam.

While the Guahan Made Me craft fair is her first event that she has organized, there will be more events in the future.

Calma is in partnership with Mane’lu, a local non-profit organization dedicated to helping underprivileged families further their education.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Mane’lu.

Children 10 years or younger get in free while general admission is $3.

Individuals interested in attending or participating in Guahan Made Me, can follow their pages on Instagram for updates and direct message them at: @vidalocalguam,   @guahanmademe, @manelu.gu.

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