ANNABELLE Soledad Tudela Sablan of Saipan now holds an architecture degree from Syracuse University after graduating magna cum laude from the New York institution on May 12. She maintained Dean’s List in all of her five years at the university and was also an SU scholar.
Sablan attended Saipan International School prior to moving to the states for college.
She said she was driven to pursue architecture as a child, and that growing up she had a creative background in fine arts, music, and dance. She said she eventually wanted a career where she could practice her creativity.
At Syracuse, Sablan said the program was “rigorous and competitive, but very rewarding.”
“I dedicated most of my time to my studies and the development of my projects,” she said. “I spent long hours in the architecture studio every day, even on weekends, working anywhere from one hour to 14 hours, or even all night if I had to. However, it was also a lot of fun, especially working alongside my classmates, and seeing the final results at the end of every semester was always worth it.”
At Syracuse, the architecture program is a five-year course. Sablan spent part of her summer 2021 education as an intern at GUMA Architects, a local firm run by Samuel McPhetres Jr.
Being so far away from home, Sablan said she missed the CNMI, “most especially in the winter.”
Her next step is to enter the professional world of architecture through Dean Sakamoto Architects in Hawaii.
“My ultimate goal will be to return to the CNMI and practice architecture back home. I would like to provide my services to the community that helped shape me into who I am today,” she said. “I look forward to working with other architects and related professionals in this field in the CNMI when I return home.”
Sablan said for students in the CNMI who are interested in architecture, they should be prepared to take courses in mathematics, science, art and history.
“For the five-year professional degree program at Syracuse, I believe that hand drawing and the ability to draw quickly, writing skills, and presentation skills are key. You write and present equally as much as designing, I would say,” she said. “Also, I think garnering the ability to have a strong work ethic and good time management is significant.”
For those who leave the island to pursue a college degree, she said they should “embrace the change” by developing an “ability to adapt to whatever environment you are in.” She also suggests establishing a “support network or community” within the new environment.
Pacifica Insurance Underwriters Inc. President & Chief Executive Officer Shirley Sablan, mother of Annabelle, said she is “extremely proud” of her daughter.
“We are extremely proud of Annabelle and this milestone of an accomplishment,” she said. “It’s been her lifelong dream to be an architect, and since committing to Syracuse University we’ve witnessed an enriching educational journey. The curriculum and program was tough but it has prepared her for the profession and it was worth it. Anna has now shifted focus to gaining real world experience and eventually challenging the licensure exam. With her work discipline and intelligence, we are confident it will be another check on that bucket list.”
Annabelle Soledad Tudela Sablan, who once attended Saipan International School, now holds a degree from Syracuse University
Annabelle Soledad Tudela Sablan
