I’m excited to report that after working behind the scene with school principals in Chuuk, the Interscholastic Sports Commission (ISC) in Chuuk State has unanimously voted to dedicate their annual track and field day to my friend, Chuukese hero and Olympic wrestler, the late Keitani Graham. According to Gabe Rossi, ISC chairman from Xavier High School, the 1st Annual Keitani Graham Memorial Track & Field Day will occur on Friday, April 26, 2013 at Anderson Field between the public and private high schools in Chuuk.

Although the ISC has sponsored this annual interscholastic track and field competition, this is the first year in which they are officially naming it after the late Keitani Graham who tragically died on December 6, 2012.

I want to thank all the principals for their support, chairman Rossi,  and the ISC members for their leadership in this matter. It is a fitting day for Chuuk State to celebrate Keitani’s life and contribution to our youth in this annual event. After all, it was at that this same track and field day where Keitani participated in his first organized competitive sports when he was a Freshman at Xavier High School. After graduating from Holy Cross, he served as a volunteer coach, referee, head referee, and trainer for this event through the SHIP-HOOPS nonprofit organization he co-founded with his dad Mr. Clark Graham.

Now that the ISC has done it’s part and the high schools are ready to celebrate Keitani on his day, the rest of us who love and value Keitani’s contribution to Chuuk need to step up as sponsors. The ISC has a lot of needs to make sure the event is a complete success. I’m sure there is a long list of potential sponsors who have some vested interest in supporting this event including organizations, schools, government agencies, and Keitani’s many friends. But more importantly, we: www.chuuk-sports.org

Dr. Vid Raatior

Consultant at Raatior Ventures

Vid is an education consultant, web designer, social entrepreneur from Chuuk State in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). He earned his BA in communications from University of Guam, MA in school administration from University of San Francisco, and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D) degree from University of Hawaii at Manoa. Vid lives in Northern California and works at the College of Professional & Global Education at San Jose State University. Previously, he worked at UC Santa Cruz, University of Hawaii at Hilo, Santa Clara University, and Xavier High School in Micronesia.