ADMIRAL Herbert G. Hopwood Middle School on Monday promoted 209 eighth graders to high school. It was the largest number of middle school promotees in the CNMI this year.
The top three students are valedictorian Evan McLaren Carlo Paras Cabrera, who received the Board of Education Award; salutatorian Steven Lian, the Commissioner of Education awardee; and Ricky Tang, who received the Leadership and Principal’s awards.
Cabrera also received the Best Male Athlete Award while Paulette Erin Borja Somol received the Best Female Athlete Award.
Cabrera and Leelando Meng Backman received the best in subject award in English; Lian and Yong Jun Lin, in Math; Tang and Lian, in Science; Cabrera and Alexandria E. Asuncion, in Social Studies; Cabrera and Toby Yan, in Chamorro and Carolinian Language & Heritage Studies; Yong Lin and Lian, in Middle School Leadership Corps; Lian and Lin, in Physical Education; Cabrera and Alexis Danielle M. Salundaguit, in Computer Literacy; and Cabrera and Jazzmine Reyes Apasan, in Career and Technical Education- Agriculture.
The Hopwood promotees, Principal Victorino M. Borja, Vice Principal for Curriculum & Instruction Karen Ann A. Manuel, Vice Principal for Discipline & Student Services Benjamin B. Seman and the faculty were joined by Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, acting Board of Education Chair Maisie B. Tenorio and BOE member Andrew L. Orsini.
Also witnessing the promotion ceremony were Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero, Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, Reps. Manny Gregory Tenorio Castro, Diego Vincent F. Camacho and Joseph Flores.
Uncharted territory
In his valedictory address, Cabrera said, “Today, we are not just [completing] middle school; we soon will be stepping into the uncharted territory of high school in a few months and we are about to start another quest.”
“As we prepare to leave these familiar hallways behind, let us not forget the lessons we’ve learned and the memories we’ve made. Let us carry them with us like precious treasures, guiding us as we navigate the uncharted waters of the future,” Cabrera said.
He said manga artist Eiichiro Oda, the creator of “One Piece,” explained it best when he said it is not about the destination, it is about the journey. “So enjoy those bits of experiences along the way, learn from your mistakes, and be masters of your domain,” Cabrera said.
He also urged his fellow promotees to prioritize their health, education and family. “Stay humble, persevere, look up, don’t stress, stay in one piece, smile and like Hopwood, continue to make every day the best,” he added.
A lot
In his salutatory address, Lian said 540 school days or 12,960 hours or 777,600 minutes or 46,656,000 seconds in school “meant a lot to me, and I hope it meant a lot to all of you.” He thanked his parents for always being there for him, especially his dad “who even though at times he didn’t quite understand my attempts at communicating in Chinese still was happy for my success.”
He quoted author C.S. Lewis, who said, “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
Gratitude
Hopwood Principal Victorino Borja said it was with great joy and pride that “I welcome you all to this special occasion.”
He added, “Today we celebrate the hard work, dedication and achievements of the students as they transition from middle school to the exciting road of high school.”
He thanked the students’ parents, family members and friends, saying, “Your support and encouragement have been instrumental in guiding these young individuals to this milestone. Thank you for being their pillars of strength, and standing by them through thick and thin.”
To Hopwood’s teachers and staff, he said, “Your commitment to education and to nurturing these students has not gone unnoticed. You have inspired, challenged and supported our students, helping them grow academically and personally. Your dedication is the backbone of our school community and we are deeply grateful for all the things you do.”
He noted the theme of the day: “Your success is only determined by the amount of effort and commitment you decide to put into everything you choose to do.”
Extra touching
Acting BOE Chair Tenorio said the promotion and graduation season has been “extra touching” because at each ceremony, students talked about how they made it through tough times to get to their promotion or graduation.
“The truth is, it’s been rough for the entire school system these past few years, especially for you students of Hopwood Middle School,” she said.
The following quote kept ringing in her mind, she said: “The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.”
Tenorio said that is the essence of Hopwood and what it has been about these past few years — unstoppable.
“No matter the obstacle, no matter the challenge, you continued to push forward, whether you were moving an inch or a mile, you never gave up. You didn’t stop. So today is for you celebrate your win because you deserve it. As you move to high school I hope you bring your unstoppable spirit with you,” she said.
Never give up
Commissioner of Education Camacho, who attended Hopwood in 1983, echoed the promotion day’s theme, saying: “It is indeed very fitting for all of us because like Chair Maisie mentioned, you never gave up. And I want to tell you now, and I pledge, we will never give up on you, we won’t give up on Hopwood and we won’t give up on our students, for sure.”
He thanked all the parents, teachers and staff for all their hard work and urged them to celebrate with families and friends and all the other folks who helped bring the students “to the point where they are today.”
“We salute you, we congratulate you, we thank you for the wonderful support for students,” he added.
To the students, Camacho said, “Today is the day when you will receive your certification of promotion, which is a validation of the hard work, all the knowledge and wisdom you gathered and accumulated over time, and is now there for you to put in your school bags so when you go to high school you are ready to use a lot of those things. So we hope that you take that to heart and make great use of them.”
Admiral Herbert G. Hopwood Middle School valedictorian Evan McLaren Carlo Paras Cabrera and his fellow promotees listen to the opening remarks.
Salutatorian Steven Lian holds his award as he poses for a photo with Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, Special Education Director Donna Flores, right, and Lian’s family.
Acting Board of Education Chair Maise B. Tenorio delivers her remarks.
Commissioner of Education Lawrence F. Camacho delivers his remarks.
Admiral Herbert G. Hopwood Middle School valedictorian Evan McLaren Carlo Paras Cabrera delivers his valedictory address.
House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, left, fist-bumps eighth grader Manuelito John V. Erediano during the presentation of the certificates of promotion.
Hopwood Principal Victorino N. Borja delivers his opening remarks.
