Yo-yos, balloons and giant pencils comprised the props, but the message was all about urging students to do their best.

By Denise Dick | February 2, 2013 at 12:00a.m.

Youngstown

The NED Show premiered Friday at St. Christine School as part of the conclusion of Catholic Schools Week.

The show by All For KIDZ of Lynnwood, Wash., teaches children to bring out the champion in themselves. NED is a cartoon boy who gets himself into difficult situations when he makes bad choices.

Friday’s presenter, Chad, who said he isn’t permitted to divulge his last name because of corporate policy, performed traditional yo-yo tricks such as Around the World and Walking the Dog as well as entertaining the students by weaving the Eiffel Tower and the Union Jack from the yo-yo string.

NED also is an acronym for Never give up, Encourage others and Do your best.

“Who wants to be a champion?” Chad asked the students.

Most of the hands in the school gymnasium shot up.

“Think of two things you want to be better at,” he said.

He urged them to pick a school subject where they want to improve and something outside of school that they want to do better.

“That’s what champions do; they set great goals,” Chad said.

Third-grader Kayla Kaleda picked spelling and triathlons as the two areas where she seeks improvement.

She said it’s important to do well in school.

For her participation Chad gave her a yo-yo and a crown constructed of balloons of many colors extending from all sides.

She’d like to learn to perform tricks with the yo-yo, but as far as what she’ll do with the crown?

“I don’t know,” Kayla said with a chuckle.

Fortunately, her parents pick her up from school so she doesn’t have to worry about getting it onto the school bus.

Doreen DeMarco, St. Christine School principal, said the school started its Catholic Schools Week observance with an open house Jan. 27. Other events included a Mass, luncheon for teachers, distinguished-alumni recognition and a visit from the Center of Science and Industry.