By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

TWO students from Northern Marianas College will join the 39th voyage of the Fuji Maru which will bring in nearly 500 foreign students to the islands next week.
The CNMI’s “goodwill ambassadors” this year are Sylvia Leon Guerrero and Leilani Atalig who are scheduled to depart Saipan on May 2 to join Wakai Nekko No Kai which is slated to arrive here May 8.
Former goodwill ambassador Kae Christian will serve as the students’ adviser.
Last month, Wakai Nekko No Kai president Hideo Kato met with Gov. Benigno R. Fitial to discuss the Japanese students’ two-day visit this year.
The Fuji Maru will depart Tokyo Bay on May 3.
In what has become a tradition, passengers of the vessel will be welcomed by the Marianas Visitors Authority and local students.
A memorial service will be held at the newly built monument on Banzai Cliff, and there will be cultural exchange activities to promote goodwill and friendship among Japanese and local students.
Among the participating schools in the exchange program are NMC, Marianas High School, Kagman High, Saipan Southern High, Grace Christian Academy and Mount Carmel School.
Wakai Nekko No Kai is a youth organization founded and chaired by Kato and its members have been visiting Saipan since 1968.
Wakai Nekko No Kai’s annual voyage has already introduced over 15,000 students to the Northern Marianas.