Sponsored and organized by Marianas High School’s National Honor Society, the event drew the participation of over 60 students from Hopwood, MHS and Chacha Oceanview.
Saipan Chamber of Commerce president Jim Arenovski talked about scholarship programs that students can apply for.
Assistant Attorney General Rebecca Warfield, for her part, discussed developing leadership skills.
MHS teacher Chas Algaeier, one of the National Honor Society advisers, talked about building good character while Judge Kenneth Govendo spoke about the importance of “service.”
“These are some of the brightest students and future leaders of the CNMI, so anytime you can get them together and open up their minds and have them think about serious things that concern our community is a very important event,” Govendo told Variety.
He added, “I have great hope for our future leaders. I don’t know how many are going to come back after they go away to school. I hope the smarter ones will come back and take a closer look on the many things that need to be changed. I am a firm believer that the future is in the hands of these young kids.”
During the conference, students also participated in break-out sessions which included games and challenges.
Emelaine Fejeran, event coordinator, said each year, incoming public high school students are asked to participate in a similar conference.
Fejeran said peer pressure remains the strongest and most influential factor that affects a student’s ability to realize the importance of education.
“There’s a lot of peer pressure in high school where some students are forced to hang out with the wrong crowd and to turn away from the many opportunities they have in school and this is something we’re trying to address among our youth,” Fejeran said. “We want to prepare them for their high school and become productive and effective persons and leaders.”
She said it is the goal of the National Honor Society to encourage students to join academic groups and clubs that will help them become better citizens.
