Jojo Santo Tomas, Pacific Daily News (GNOC Media Partner)

Published 12:42 a.m. ChT Feb. 12, 2020

The Guam National Olympic Committee and Guam's Department of Education launched their Athlete Awareness education campaign to a packed house of students Feb. 11 at Tiyan High School.

Lenora Makela, a registered dietitian nutritionist, works with student volunteer Gavin San Nicolas during the launch of the Athlete Awareness program Feb. 11 at Tiyan High School. The program is a partnership between the Guam Department of Education and the Guam National Olympic Committee. (Photo: Jojo Santo Tomas/PDN)

About 80 students crammed into a large upstairs classroom to hear from a panel of sports specialists. The panels, formed by the GNOC's Lead Doping Control Officer Joey Miranda III, will visit five other DOE high schools over the next few months to teach interested athletes about the many facets of building athlete excellence outside of practices and competitions.

Sports physiotherapists Jordan Tingson and Paul Claros were on the panel along with Lenora Makela, registered dietitian, Gregory Miller, a chiropractor, and Dr. Arania Adolphson, a sports doctor.

Makela finished the group presentation with a demo about sugar and salt intake. She scooped spoon after spoon into a container to measure it, then showed attendees how much sugar it is possible to ingest from a day's worth of beverages.

"I think it was received very well. Not too bad for a short time frame," said Makela. "We hope that we've left a long and lasting impression."

Ava Cruz, 17. has been a jiujitsu player for the last six or seven years. She was not at all surprised to see that her personal coaches were already on the panel.

Trever Martinez, a senior volleyball player, said he enjoyed learning about the anterior cruciate ligament and its purpose in the knee, as well as the science of proper hydration.

"I think this is a good program that they should do more at other schools," said Martinez. "Especially for those who don't know or don't have access to that kind of stuff. You just give it to them right there, I think that's the best way."

Next on the GNOC's presentation schedule are the students of John F. Kennedy, set for Feb. 26, followed by George Washington High on March 25 and Simon Sanchez High April 22.

"I still learned a lot from them," she said.