From left, Saipan Chamber of Commerce Board Secretary Ron Smith, SCC Board Director Alex Sablan, SCC Scholarship Recipient, Reine Aldan, SCC Board President Joe Guerrero, SCC Scholarship Recipient Catherine Barozzo, SCC Board Director Brad Ruszala, SCC Vice President Joshua Wise, SCC Scholarship Recipient Ayesha Mustansar, SCC EdWork Committee Chair, Mercilynn Palec, SCC Scholarship Recipient Crystal Seidler, SCC EdWork Committee Member, Benjamin Babauta, SCC Scholarship Recipient Bonnie Gio Sagana, SCC EdWork Committee Member, Plumeria Castro-Aldan, Northern Marianas College President, Galvin Deleon Guerrero, and Northern Marianas Technical Institute Chief Executive Officer, Jodina Attao.
(SCC) — The Saipan Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted its annual scholarship awarding ceremony during the August general membership meeting held at the Pacific Islands Club, Charley’s Room. The scholarship program, which has been a cornerstone of the chamber’s community initiatives since 2008, is funded by the generous contributions of chamber members through the Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament.
This year, five exceptional individuals were honored with scholarships for their academic achievements and dedication to their studies:
• Reine Aldan received the Pellegrino Vocational Award. Reine is pursuing studies in Baking and Pastry at the Northern Marianas Technical Institute.
• Catherine Barrozo received the Chamber Education Award. Catherine is a triple major, studying for an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts, an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management at Northern Marianas College.
• Ayesha Mustansar received the Chamber Education Award. Ayesha is majoring in an Associate of Science in Nursing at Northern Marianas College.
• Bonnie Gio Sagana received the Chamber Education Award. Bonnie is majoring in Pre-Education, Rehabilitation & Human Services, Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Social Work, and an Associate of Science in Nursing at Northern Marianas College.
• Crystal Seidler received the Chamber Education Award. Crystal is majoring in Associate of Arts in Business, Business Administration: Business Management emphasis, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management at Northern Marianas College.
“It is a great honor to be able to celebrate and assist our youth through our annual scholarship program in achieving their academic goals. We look forward to celebrating and assisting more scholars in the years to come,” said Executive Director Kimberly C. Camacho.
Mercilynn Palec, chair of the SCC’s Education and Workforce Development Committee, said, “On behalf of the Education and Workforce Development Committee, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Chamber membership for making it possible to provide these scholarships to our students. This program is a direct result of your generous contributions during our Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament, your participation in our Professional Development Trainings, and your support of other Chamber initiatives. During the ceremony, we witness the Chamber’s ongoing commitment to giving back to our community and the profound impact it has on these five individuals, and by extension, their families. I am honored to sit on the Scholarship Panel alongside Benjamin Babauta, Marketing Manager for the Northern Marianas Technical Institute & Plumeria Aldan Castro of Commonwealth Health Care Corporation.”
The Saipan Chamber of Commerce remains dedicated to fostering educational and professional development opportunities for the community. Through continued support and collaboration, the Chamber aims to empower more students in their academic pursuits, ensuring a brighter future for the CNMI.
About the SCC
The Saipan Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower our enterprises as a resource, advocate, and connector for Saipan’s private sector. Its vision is to create an island where businesses, families, and communities succeed as one.
For more information or to learn how to become a member, go to www.saipanchamber.com, call (670) 234-7150, or visit the 2nd Floor of the Marianas Business Plaza (Suite 201-A).
