This award is for a teacher who is dedicated and skilled as a leader and who has the ability to foster excellence and improve student learning.
Borja has been a great example of this and is always seeking to improve his abilities as a teacher.
He holds a bachelor of arts degree in education from Northern Marianas College along with a master’s degree in education from Framingham State University.
His students have described him as being a very hardworking and responsible teacher along with being a blue and mellow person.
Outside of school his interests include playing his guitar and fishing of every kind.
One thing you may not know about Borja is that he originally wanted to study business but changed to education. He has become a great teacher and a valuable asset at Hopwood Junior High School.
Teacher-Aide of the Year
Clarissa Mobel has been working at Hopwood for three years as a Troops to Teacher.
When asked what motivates her to go to work every day, Clarissa explains that the students are the motivation.
Clarissa describes herself as hardworking, which she gives credit to her military background, nice, because she is always willing to help, and creative, because it helps to be able to think fast when you work in the main office.
Clarissa gives credit to her 6th grade teacher Monica Huff for influencing her to work in education.
Maintenance of the Year
Purisimo Raganot, 2010 Support Staff (Trades & Maintenance) of the Year for Hopwood, first came to Saipan in 1973 to work as a gardener and farmer for Ben Borja.
In 1992, Puri (as he is affectionately known) switched gears and came to work for the Public School System as a support staff.
With his experience in carpentry, plumbing and electrical work, Puri has been an asset to the PSS family for over 18 years.
Most recently he has been a Hopwood Hilitai for the last two years, ensuring our campus is sparkling and spotless as our custodian.
For many months, Puri tackled the job of keeping this campus of 1300 students clean single handedly.
However, Puri is known for his speed, work ethic, and thoroughness, qualities that did not change when Hopwood gained a second custodian.
Although the school is once again down to one custodian,. Puri is sure to keep up the maintenance of the campus.
There is no task too big and no mess too hopeless for Hopwood’s super custodian.
During his spare time, Puri makes good use of his handiness as he loves to go fishing and even manages to squeeze in a few games of ping-pong with his buddies.
He is really not hard to find on the Hopwood campus, just follow the clean trail and you will spot him with mop bucket in hand.
Thanks to Puri, 1,300 hilitais have squeaky clean restrooms, hallways, and grounds!
Congratulations Puri and many thanks to you!
Administrator of the Year
Francisco Dela Cruz, 2010 Support Staff (Administrative) of the Year for Hopwood, was born and raised on the beautiful island of Saipan.
Frank has been with PSS for over 24 years, working first as librarian aide for Marianas High School.
For several years, Frank worked for the office of the associate commissioner for curriculum and instruction then relocated to the office of then Commissioner of Education William Torres.
In 2001, Frank transferred to Hopwood where he has served as administrative officer for both the main campus and the Linala Malawasch Academy over the years.
He plays an adaptable role when it comes to helping run the school.
His duties range from staid office duties such as timekeeping to managing minor crises such as broken bones and nosebleeds.
Frank is also in charge of purchase orders, end-of-year clearances, inventories, sales, and technology distribution among other things.
Frank is also quite a handy man at home and he loves to go fishing in his spare time.
He has two grown sons who both now live abroad.
Besides the honor of this award, Frank also has another reason to celebrate — he recently became a newlywed!
Congratulations Frank and good luck!
Principal of the Year
Jonas Barcinas is a man with many talents and experiences.
Born on Rota with 12 siblings Barcinas has always enjoyed being surrounded by people.
He has become a strong and dynamic leader and worked very hard at becoming a well-rounded principal.
He holds a bachelor of arts in elementary education and masters in counseling from the University of Guam.
Jonas also holds a master’s in educational leadership and supervision from San Diego State University and is currently working on his doctorate with Argossy University of Hawaii.
With 12 years teaching experience in elementary and secondary levels, Barcinas relates well with his teachers and staff and has a good understanding of their needs.
As a teacher Jonas made such an impact with his school and students that he was nominated for the CNMI Teacher of the Year Award in 1999.
Before coming to Hopwood Barcinas was a principal in Dandan Elementary School for 10 years.
He is a current member of the U.S. Army Reserves, is an active member in his community, and is serving his second year as principal at Hopwood.
In his free time Jonas enjoys all sporting activities especially volleyball in which he has played and coached with national level teams.
One interesting fact that you might not know about Barcinas is that he is a talented cultural dancer and has experience with dancing professionally and as an instructor.
Vice Principal of the Year
Natalie Hill has been working on her fifth year at Hopwood.
She spent her first three years working in the classroom as a 7th grade goography teacher before taking on the position of vice principle of curriculum and instruction during the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 school years.
Natalie graduated from Northern Marianas College with a bachelor of science in elementary education and from George Mason University with a master’s in history.
When Natalie is not at Hopwood, she enjoys soccer, ultimate Frisbee, pastry arts, reading, and playing video games.
When asked who was influential in her life as an educator, Natalie explained how Ms. Crisostomo had been a great role model and mentor while Natalie was student teaching.
Counselor of the Year
Josiah Kyonka is working on his second year in the Hopwood counseling office.
Josiah grew up in St Louis Missouri. He moved to Oklahoma to attend Southern Nazarene University, where he earned his bachelor of arts in psychology and theology.
SNU was where he met his wife, who convinced him to follow her back to Saipan.
Josiah enjoys Saipan because when he is not a work he is free to snorkel and be a beach bum.
When the weather does not permit beach activities, Josiah enjoys enhancing his origami skills and dabbling in photography.
