By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

EDUCATION Commissioner David Borja has announced that the Public School System is seeking applicants for the federally funded Robert C. Byrd Honors scholarships for high school students graduating this year.
Each recipient will get a four-year scholarship at $1,500 per year or $6,000 for four years.
Borja said to be eligible, applicants must be a 2007 graduate of a public or private secondary school in the CNMI, a legal resident of the commonwealth, a U.S. citizen, not in default on any federal loan or obligation, and have applied or been accepted for enrollment at a college or university.
They are also required to submit a statement of selective service registration status.
Borja is encouraging senior students who meet the criteria to come to the PSS federal programs office at the Retirement Fund building on Capital Hill and get the application package.
He said this scholarship is highly competitive and requires a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
The deadline for submission of Robert C. Byrd applications and required documents is May 25.
Last year, 12 CNMI students received the scholarship: Theresa Hill Arriola, a senior at Northern Marianas Academy; Marilou Bocatot Gariguez, Saipan Southern High School; Roselle Demapan Calvo, Marianas Baptist Academy; Ferlene Vidallo Esmundo, SSHS; Wilet Esquerra Reiman, Kagman High School; Sheila Jack Babauta, Kagman High School; Andrea Martina Bordallo Hofschneider, Grace Christian Academy; Christine Rae Catahay Kinsella, Grace Christian Academy; Nicole Manglona Torres, Grace Christian Academy; Nikika Marii Harris, Kagman High School; Charlie Ogo Atalig, Rota High School; and Daryl B. Dela Cruz, Tinian High School.