By Emmanuel T. Erediano
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Variety News Staff
126 Saipan Southern High School seniors celebrated graduation on June 5, marking the culmination of their high school journey and preparing to embark on new paths that will take them to colleges and universities, military service, the workforce, and other opportunities beyond the classroom.
Joined by family members, educators, and community leaders, the graduates celebrated the completion of their high school years and the beginning of a new chapter shaped by ambition, service, and lifelong learning.
The ceremony recognized students for academic achievement, leadership, athletics, and community service while honoring a class that persevered through changing school schedules, austerity measures, and the challenges brought by Super Typhoon Sinlaku during their final year of high school.
The graduation ceremony was held on the school’s sprawling campus.
Leading the Class of 2026 was valedictorian Aubrey June Sampay Tabenas, who also received the Board of Education Academic Excellence Award. The award was presented by BOE Chairwoman Maisie B. Tenorio, Vice Chair Anthony D.L.C. Barcinas, Secretary-Treasurer Antonio L. Borja, Teacher Representative Dr. Dora B. Miura, and Student Representative Jude Burgos.
The salutatorian and recipient of the Commissioner of Education Award was Awen Zhang. The award was presented by Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, Associate Commissioner for Administrative Services Eric Magofna, Federal Programs Officer Jacqueline P. Che, acting Senior Director for Instructional Services Dr. Lorraine Catienza, acting Senior Director for Student Support and Services Donna M. Flores, and Head Start/Early Head Start Director Lathania Angui.
Top 10 and special awards
Completing the Top 10 were Joannah Lynn Bastareche Concillado (3), Zeke Alex Ordonez Ayeras (4), Jadine Marie Soriano Devlois (5), Rhiettazayne Diaz Mendiola (6), Shelina Torente Beltran (7), Kayli Ari Lee Salas (8), Cody Isaiah Sablan (9), and Md. Arif Hossain Khan (10).
Several graduates received distinguished awards recognizing their contributions both inside and outside the classroom.
Tabenas received the Governor’s Leadership Award, while Mendiola received the Lt. Governor’s Leadership Award and the Manta Spirit Award.
Beltran received the Mayor’s Service Award.
Jolash Neil Materum Saluta was the recipient of the Principal’s Award.
Kian Peter H. Helgen was the recipient of the OMEGA Award.
The Outstanding Male Athlete Award was presented to Kian Peter H. Helgen, while Azriel Fiatafuna Fatialofa received the Outstanding Female Athlete Award.
Two students received Service Learning Awards for their commitment to community service: Selina Torente Beltran, who completed 505 service hours, and Jolash Neil M. Saluta, who completed 305 hours.
Hungry for more
In her valedictory address, Tabenas reflected on the Class of 2026’s journey through high school, drawing inspiration from the childhood story “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.”
Tabenas said the story’s central lesson was not about food but about drive — the desire to keep learning, growing, and striving for more.
“The caterpillar is every single one of us,” she said. “Hungry not in the sense of wanting food, but hungry in that we always want and strive for more — more knowledge, more success, more victories.”
She recalled entering high school in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and navigating challenges that included changing school schedules, austerity measures, and, most recently, Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
“Yet, here we all are,” Tabenas said. “We stand here as a true testament to the significance of resilience and perseverance.”
Thanking teachers, administrators, counselors, friends, and family members for helping guide the class through its high school years, Tabenas encouraged her classmates to remain curious, embrace change, and continue pursuing their goals.
“Stay hungry through it all,” she said. “Don’t be afraid of change. Embrace it and grow into your own beautiful butterfly.”
Gratitude and courage
Salutatorian Awen Zhang centered his remarks on gratitude, resilience, and the importance of stepping beyond one’s comfort zone.
Reflecting on the Class of 2026’s high school experience, Zhang noted that few students could have imagined the challenges they would face when they first entered SSHS four years ago, including austerity schedules and the disruptions caused by Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
“There was no such thing as Austerity Monday,” Zhang said. “But here we are, standing stronger than Sinlaku ever was.”
He thanked teachers, counselors, staff members, family members, and friends who supported the graduating class and credited them with helping students overcome obstacles and achieve success.
Zhang also encouraged graduates to approach life with curiosity, pursue new experiences, and never allow fear of judgment to prevent them from being themselves.
“Don’t just live to exist,” he said. “Find meaning, pursue passions, and live life to the fullest.”
Addressing younger students, Zhang said the experiences of the Class of 2026 demonstrated that challenges can be overcome through perseverance, support, and determination.
“If you ever encounter a challenge, don’t be afraid to reach out,” he said. “We are the Class of 2026, and we are victorious.”
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
