By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

NORTHERN Marianas College Nursing Club President Lee Q. Castro and active college community member Ignacia O. Torres were named this year’s NMC leadership awardees during Saturday’s commencement exercises at Marianas High School.
The awardees were chosen by the college student council, and Castro and Torres won the award for leading their colleagues in a number of worthy causes and activities.
“I was surprised because I know that there were a lot of nominees,” Castro said. “I am very thankful for getting this award and I would like to share this with my classmates and friends because without their trust and support in me, this would not have been possible,” Castro.
He said having a “determination to serve the students” was his only message to the new leadership of the nursing club.
Torres, for her part, said the award would not have been given to her if not for the support of her friends and classmates.
Although she is not a leader of any organization, Torres is known for being a leader by her classmates.
“I think I owe it to my friend, (the late) Jung Hwan Ku, because he was the first person who believed in me and my capability as a leader. I guess nobody would have recognized that I was a true leader if my friend hadn’t given me the guts to show it to everybody,” she told Variety, adding that she’s very proud to receive the award.
Torres obtained a bachelor of science degree in elementary education.