A yo-yo is both a mindset tool and tangible reminder of NED's message.  While learning to yo-yo, kids will make mistakes, try again, and improve.

Hear from these teachers and parents about how NED transformed their children's lives:

"I just wanted to thank you. The kids loved the assembly. My daughter has been talking nonstop, playing with her yo-yo and acting out Keith’s assembly. A couple parents emailed me and their kids are doing the same. I wasn’t doing great with the yo-yo and my daughter said, 'Never give up Mom, NED, don’t forget.'" -Kim Potter, PTA Rep, William Collier Elementary 

"Thanks again for having the Pay it Forward program. That is just huge for us. Kids loved it and a teacher already said she used the "Yet" word. A student said that she couldn't to math and teacher came back with "YET" and the student got a big smile on her face and ended up doing what she needed to do." -Tina Cruz, Counselor, Columbia Elementary


"I want to share with you a conversation that was heard by two 2nd graders during library; one student had a book and said I can't read this and the other student said: "NO not YET, you can't read it yet but you will". Josh's message did resonate with our students and I appreciate the gift of the YET he gave my students." -Dr. Joan Bucy, Principal, Olde Orchard Alternative Elementary


“First of all - the performance was amazing!  The kids were excited, engaged and definitely entertained and they loved the characters, the yo-yo tricks and the overall idea… Every time a kid tells me they can't do it, I come back with a great big 'YET!' and always get a smile. It's a powerful performance…” -Kris Sward, Vice Principal, Bernard Elementary


"We had a Pre-K student enter our school about 3 months ago. He is having an extreme difficult time adjusting to his new setting.  Teachers and staff are baffled at what we can do to reach him. On a daily basis he has had daily multiple hour long melt downs, has bitten, kicked and hit teachers and staff.  The child does not speak only grunts and screams and even throws his plate and food on floor and at others...

However today was different, the student for the first time in the 40 plus days he has been with us, sat on the floor and intensely watched Doug perform.  The student laughed and thoroughly enjoyed himself.  He caught the eye of all faculty and staff. We had a WOW moment, that something does affect him in a positive manner. Thanks for showing us there is a light in ALL of our students. Some are dimmer than others but that means we just have to find out what it takes to make them shine bright." -Elaine Huval, Coach, Cecilia Primary School


“This morning one of our kindergarten students and his mom were speaking with me, and mom said he was talking about it all night. I asked him some key questions about the message like: Brain Freeze and he remembered we want a Go Brain. He also knew that when we Encourage others, we give them Courage. Finally, he remembered to Do Your Best and Never Give Up! I was so happy to hear all that he had learned and remembered!!” -Laura Brown, School Counselor, Challenger 7 Elementary 


“My son is in the 4th grade. He has seen a NED Show for most of the last five years and absolutely loves them. Every year, he asks for a new yo-yo, plays (actually practices!) for hours and works on his tricks until he perfects them.  

This year, we ordered the Excelerator, which arrived about an hour ago. Twenty minutes ago, he arrived home from school, and went right for the mail. As I type this, he is getting it set so he can use it to learn new tricks. 

I am amazed, that with the thousands of electronics, and ‘shiny’ toys that he chooses to go with one of the classics. Actually, I'm very happy about that. He takes his yo-yo with him when he goes out, and with the exception of church and school, there are not many places that he can't play with it. I'm also happy about the fact that he has used the lessons that he learned from NED in his peer group. Most of all, I am happy that he is able to increase his bonds with his grandfathers, both of whom were avid yo-yoers in their youth. They spend time ‘walking the dog’, going ‘around the world’ and spending time together that they might have missed out on without this common ground. 

Thank you for the wonderful opportunity that you're giving to our kids and for connecting them with what is becoming a lost art.” -Bill Strupczewski, Parent