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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Students in three Deh Cho schools recently had the opportunity to go cross-country skiing with an Olympic athlete.

Olympian Sharon Firth, far right, skies with students at Chief Julian Yendo School on Feb. 20, including Elizabeth Baton, from left, Destiny Cli-Moses, Angel Baton, Setia Antoine, teacher Leona Sellars and Tamara Lennie, while visiting Wrigley during her tour in the Deh Cho. - photo courtesy of Blair Sellars

As part of an inspirational youth tour organized by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, Sharon Firth visited the schools in Nahanni Butte, Wrigley and Trout Lake between Feb. 19 and 21.

At Chief Julian Yendo School in Wrigley, Firth talked to students about respect and having good behaviour and gave an anti-bullying message.

Firth also showed the students a short video titled Northern Gold, about her skiing career, before going skiing with them on the community's trails.

"We had fun skiing," said Tamara Lennie. "She's a great skier and she goes fast."

Lennie, 9, said skiing with Firth is the thing she enjoyed most about her visit. After seeing Firth ski, Lennie, who's been skiing for a year, said she would like to do the sport more often.

It was also "pretty cool" to learn about what Firth did at the Olympics, she said.

Firth and her twin sister Shirley were members of Canada's national cross-country team for 17 consecutive years, competing on the World Cup circuit. They also competed in four winter Olympics in 1972, 1976, 1980 and 1984.

Shannon Jumbo and Aaron Jumbo of Trout Lake were also impressed by Firth's accomplishments.

"She won a lot of medals," Shannon said.

Shannon, 6, said Firth is a good skier and that she liked going skiing with her.

What Firth did at the Olympics "sounded cool," said Aaron, 11.

"She said it took a lot of practise," he said.

Aaron said he enjoys cross-country skiing.

"It's fun to go through the deep snow," he said.

At Charles Tetcho School in Trout Lake, Firth spoke about setting and having goals and the importance of working hard towards your goals. Before Firth's visit, students learned about what it takes to qualify to compete in the Olympics.

"It was certainly a very worthwhile experience for them," said David Madden, the school's principal.

It's not very often that a multi-time Olympian comes to the school, he said.

Blair Sellars, the principal in Wrigley, said the visit was particularly meaningful because Firth is from the territory.

"It was good to have someone of that stature visit the school," he said.

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