WILLIAM S. Reyes, Gregorio T. Camacho, Herbert G. Hopwood are all names of public schools on Saipan but rarely do students know the significant contributions the people behind these names had made to the local community.
Asked about these names, students can’t recall who they were except that they are all schools.
“WSR is a school in Chalan Kanoa. Hopwood is a junior high school. GTC is also a school,” one student said.
“William S. Reyes? Oh, that’s a school in Chalan Kanoa where my cousin is going,” another student said.
Adults asked about the same questions admitted that they, too, do not know who these three distinguished gentlemen were.
“Who is WSR? That’s a school. It’s not a person,” said one parent.
“I don’t know. That was not taught to us in school,” said another parent.
She added, however, that students should be given the opportunity to learn more about local personalities who helped shape the history of the commonwealth.
William S. Reyes is one of the pioneers among local educators. He also served in the 1st Mariana Islands District Legislature and was the islands’ first school superintendent.
In 1984, Chalan Kanoa Elementary School—which was built in 1946—was named after Reyes in honor of his contributions to the local education system.
WSR students know by heart these historical facts but their counterparts in other schools do not.
Gregorio T. Camacho was one of the pioneer members of the Saipan Congress which was established in 1954. Camacho was known for his strong leadership.
Hopwood Junior High School was named after Adm. Herbert G. Hopwood, who was once assigned in the Marianas.
The local community admired Hopwood for helping the indigenous people. The first junior high school on Saipan was named after him during the 1960s.
Herbert Del Rosario, director of the CNMI Archives, said local history and the people who contributed to the community should also be taught to students.
