REPRESENTING the CNMI, Saipan Community School placed seventh overall in the 43rd National Academic Championships in Chicago, Illinois on May 31 and June 1.
The SCS students competed against teams representing schools and districts from Illinois, Arkansas, South Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Guam, Virginia, New York, Utah, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Washington.
It was SCS’ first time to represent the CNMI in the National Academic Championships.
“We are incredibly thankful for God’s blessings over our trip and for the meaningful, positive experience our team shared. I am so grateful for the students’ strong performance and individual personal growth over the duration of the trip,” SCS Principal Amanda June Allen Dunn said.
She added, “My most valuable part of this trip has been the opportunity to guide the students in the preparation of the tournament, and also in providing them new cultural experiences and applicable life skills that they have learned in the process.”
Each team played six preliminary games, with each game divided into four sections.
Questions ranged across Science, Government, Geography, Language, Religion, Technology, Mathematics, Music, History, Literature, Poetry, and more.
The first section consisted of 10 toss-up questions, in which competitors raced to buzz in as soon as they knew the answer.
The second section began with a toss-up question, and when it was answered correctly, the team earned the opportunity to answer three additional bonus questions to rack up points.
The SCS-CNMI team faced its toughest challenge in the third round — a timed section in which students had 60 or 70 seconds to answer as many themed questions as possible.
The fourth and final section of the competition was “Stump the Experts,” a round in which the SCS-CNMI students truly thrived.
The CNMI team was co-captained by Elijah Pangelinan and Vivian Chung, and included two seventh graders, Jesus Villagomez and Jina Chun, along with the team’s sole sixth grader, Iyani Muna.
They were coached by SCS Principal Dunn.
Greatly honored
The SCS students shared their experience competing with some of the best in the nation.
“I am greatly honored that I’m able to represent not just SCS but also the Northern Marianas in an educational and cultural manner. It entailed quite a load of preparation, but our efforts were not in vain. In my opinion, just this week of traveling and academics taught me more than what an entire month of traditional education could have taught me. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am eternally grateful,” said Jesus M. Villagomez.
Vivian Chung said, “Our overall experience in Chicago allowed us to not only put our brains to the test, but to also strengthen our bonds and teamwork with one another. Placing seventh overall and considering how we bested other U.S. states is as humbling as it is encouraging. Here’s to greater things ahead!”
“This was a great experience for me. Even if we didn’t make it to the finals, I’m still proud that we placed seventh in overall points! I hope to compete again next year after becoming a stronger team! Lastly, I want to thank Ms. Amanda (Dunn) for her hard work,” Jina Chun said.
Elijah Pangelinan said “it was an honor to be a captain of our team. Though we didn’t win every round, coming all the way from Saipan to compete in Chicago was already a win for us. We didn’t just represent our school — we represented our island, our culture, and our drive to go big, even from somewhere small.”
The youngest team member, Iyani Liz Muna, said that “it was a true honor to be a part of this team and to represent the SCS and CNMI as a whole. Being able to compete in Chicago and share meaningful experiences with my fellow schoolmates made it wholly wholesome,” she added.
Support
Principal Dunn expressed her appreciation to the families of the students, the SCS community, the Board of Education and the Public School System.
“We are thankful to our parents and families for their support and encouragement, without which this trip would not have been possible. Great thanks to Raniel Santos and his great support and patience with the students both in the practices before the competition and as a chaperone,” Dunn said.
She added: “We are grateful to the Board of Education and the Public School System for continuing to support local champions and giving them an opportunity to compete at the national level.”
The SCS students’ participation received support from PSS’ Federal Programs Office.
“Lastly, we would like to acknowledge the National Honor Society at Saipan Southern High School for hosting the middle school competition with the 12 competing schools in the CNMI. We are eager to see renewed academic rigor and excellence in our community,” Dunn said.
The CNMI team members — Saipan Community School students Elijah Pangelinan, Vivian Chung, Jesus Villagomez, Jina Chun and Iyani L. Muna — with SCS Principal Amanda June Allen Dunn and chaperone Raniel Santos.
CNMI team members Elijah Pangelinan, Vivian Chung, Jesus Villagomez and Iyani L. Muna.
The CNMI team faces the competition at the National Academic Championships in Chicago, Illinois.
The CNMI team on the second day of the competition.
