GOVERNOR Juan N. Babauta challenged the more than 500 Hopwood Junior High School students who graduated yesterday to strive to become future leaders of the CNMI by pursuing higher education.
“I challenge each and every one of you to begin thinking about what you really want out of high school,” he said. “Education is not easy but the rewards are lifetime—you are the future leaders of the CNMI,” he added.
The governor said it was his desire to finish his education that helped him pursue his dream of becoming a public servant.
Ms. CNMI International Christine Cunanan, a proud graduate of Hopwood, spoke about the power of not giving up.
Cunanan is also a former president of Hopwood’s Student Council.
She recalled that her mother, a home economics teacher, discouraged her from running for the position.
“She couldn’t think she could handle seeing me lose. But like any mother, she supported me,” Cunanan said.
The next day, her mother put up 200 posters of her daughter all over the campus. Cunanan won by a landslide
Cunanan also told the graduates about other public figures who failed at their first try but did not give up.
“Did you know that Michael Jordan was rejected by his high school basketball team? They said he wasn’t good enough. Look at him today. Did you know that Britney Spears lost on the show ‘Star Search’ several times before she finally won? Look at her today,” Cunanan said.
“Don’t keep worrying what is behind, push on toward what is ahead. Love yourself enough to want more in life not only for yourself, for your family, for all those who love you, but for your island,” she added.
Hopwood’s graduation theme this year is “A Small Step for Education, A Big Leap for the Future.”
