Joeten-Kiyu Library
“We Wish You Imagination, Creativity, Innovation, And Responsiveness In Your Quest For Information. Read First! Is Our Motto!”
Visiting JKL is always a pleasure; the staff is dedicated and friendly and the building oozes quiet learning and dignity.
One of best places in the library is the children’s “Reading Corner.”
Bright colors, comfortable, inviting seating and row upon row of books entice eager young children into an exotic adventure or teens seeking to escape into thick novels about heroines.
Regardless of whether visitors wish to lose themselves in a gossipy magazine or advance their computer skills, the JKL offers abundant choices.
December’s activities include Saturday computer classes at 10 a.m. and Read Aloud/Art & Crafts sessions at 10:30 a.m.
Free movie nights are every Wednesday afternoon from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Another wonderful community service the library offers is its bookmobile outreach program that stops by different schools each day as well as the youth centers around the island.
If you have not visited JKL lately, you really are missing a wonderful experience in a cool, relaxed and serene environment.
MHS Junior/Senior Class Christmas Collaboration
While driving away from JTL on Beach Road, I caught a glance of a group of teenagers hanging out after school at the Minachom Atdao Pavilion and instinct screamed they would be a great chat…and they did not disappoint.
After the introductions, they were eager to answer a lightning round of questions with whatever came to mind.
What is best about Saipan?
Food was the overwhelming answer as they practically salivated at the thought of their favorite dishes.
Family came in as a close second. Relatives: do not be disappointed as teenagers are ALWAYS hungry!
Next up was NMI’s year-around balmy weather and its natural beauty of the beaches and flowers.
Interestingly, friends were fourth on their list; as an aged adult this reporter thought it would have been one or two on the list.
Last, but certainly not least, was MHS’ teaching staff.
Singled out specifically, were Dr. Chas Algaier, AP Psychology/AP World History and Mrs. Maria Ornes an Environmental Science teacher, librarian and soccer coach (yah librarians!).
What is worst about Saipan?
Perhaps because of heightened awareness honed in Mrs. Ornes’ class, the resounding response was TRASH!
The island’s dismal economy took second place and made them all frown at the word.
For all the native people of the NMI the next answer will make you beam with pride and feel sorrow it made the list: lack of exposure to traditional culture, especially languages.
Next in line (listen up educators!) was the lack of discipline in school classrooms.
The students felt a few bad apples ruin too much class-time with disruptions.
Finishing off the five was their feeling of isolation because of living on a small island in the middle of the ocean.
The teenagers longed for a mall to hang out in and dreamed of farther distances to travel than Marpi.
What are your future hopes?
These switched-on, dialed-in teenagers yelled “A good job” in unison and again their faces revealed concern and worry.
Secondly, the young adults hoped the cost of living would stabilize so they could afford to make a life on the island they love.
In line next came a response a questioner most likely would not hear on the mainland: more fairness and less nepotism (yes, THEY used that word) in government and landing a job.
Bringing up the rear (hear this Marianas Visitors Authority) the insightful teenagers longed for NMI to develop a higher profile in the region and the world in general.
Apparently, they tire of directing people on sites such as Facebook to ‘Google’ Saipan and locate a map for directions.
After we all had a good laugh about “where in the world is Saipan,” the topic turned serious and very adult.
The group was diverse and they self-identified as Chamorro, Carolinian, Filipino and mixtures of all of the above.
When queried about race relations though, they seemed a bit puzzled.
Probing further, the context of feelings about the immigration issue was suggested and that resulted in very strong opinions.
The overwhelming consensus when describing their feelings toward one another was that they regard each other as “family.”
One eloquent young woman explained that they had grown up together and schooled together their entire lives and felt no separation because some of the parents were citizens and others were not.
The group expressed a heartfelt hope that the issue would not split apart families and the community simply because “adults want to argue.”
All in all these young adults were impressive beyond expectations and the conversation finished with this reporter joking that when they were in charge, “Don’t forget to send me my retirement check!”
One of the wonderful aspects of Saipan is its impressive young people who seem to be everywhere in great numbers.
Between these amazing teenagers and the library, it was a joyous tropical Friday afternoon indeed.
