NASS BIANNUAL FUN RUN CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
By Dominick Polito, Nay Ah Shing Abinoojiiyag School Physical Education
In 1995, the Nay Ah Shing Physical Education Department educators brainstormed healthy activities and came up with the idea of having a Fun Run. The idea was implemented and was so popular among students, parents, and staff members that it developed into a biannual NAS school event. A designed T-shirt was added for each Fun Run to bring together a sense of unity between school, community, and culture. The shirt de signs typically resemble a theme or an idea representing the era of that time period. Shirt designs have been created by various students and staff members.
In the early years, medals were awarded for first, second and third place runners for each grade level. Alumni still share fond memories of earning a medal or talking about who the fastest runner was in their day. As time evolved the medals were discontinued so everyone felt they could participate for the, "Fun of It." Hence, the phrase, "Put the Fun in the Run" was born! I like to say that this biannual Fun Run event has become the fabric of our school and community.
For this year's Fun Run we crossed a milestone. This spring the NAS Physical Education Department, the student body, family members, and alumni celebrated our 30th Fun Run Year with our 60th Fun Run event. On May 14, 2025, we had just over 100 students, 50 staff members, along with parents and alumni participate. For the past 30 years, I feel blessed and honored to have been be a part of planning and carrying out this great school and community Fun Run tradition.
A big miigwech shout out goes to those who give contin ued support in making the Biannual School Fun Run a huge success: Past and present Chief Executives, District I Repre sentatives, Tribal Police Department, NAS School Boards, NAS administrators, NAS Cultural Department, NAS Maintenance Department, NAS Nutrition Department, NAS staff members, parents/guardians, NAS students, Minnesota T's, and the NAS Physical Education Department.
