Caoleng, the first CNMI public high school student awarded the prestigious Gates Millennium scholarship grant, will study at San Diego University and hopes to become an orthodontist someday.
Caoleng, the Board of Education awardee, is the youngest among five children and her guardians are Raul and Vanessa Blanca.
In her emotional valedictory address, Caoleng shared her “beautiful experiences” at SSHS.
“This is just one very important phase that we have accomplished,” she said. “Education doesn’t stop here. I urge you all to continue striving for the best. Whether you’re going to college in the next two months, clocking in for work next Monday, or staying here for a while…keep moving forward.”
She compared future challenges and obstacles to commas in a sentence.
“A few days after today or a month from now, you may encounter some problems. Just keep in mind that those obstacles are like commas in a sentence, they slow you down, but once you get over them, you continue. It doesn’t matter which path you chose to take, this school has given us the tools we need to succeed in life — it’s up to us on how we want to use it…what we want to build, we all have the aptitude to succeed,” she said.
Caoleng, the recipient of other special awards and recognitions, also reminded the graduates of their responsibilities to the community.
“When you do succeed in your endeavors, don’t forget to share your knowledge to help solve the problems that face this island community,” she said. “Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success.”
This year’s salutatorian or the commissioner’s awardee was Kenrick Benjamin D. Bocago, 17.
He wants to join the U.S. Navy but will first study business administration at the University of Guam.
Like Caoleng, he intends to return to the CNMI and serve the community in near future.
“There’s no place like home and I owe it to our people…I want to serve them in the best way I can,” Bocago said.
Kenrick is the son of Franciosa and Benjamin Bocago.
In his message, he encouraged his colleagues to chose the right career path and enjoy their many educational possibilities.
“Just put all the amount of efforts you can and you will succeed…there’s no one or nothing can stop us from achieving our goals…just ourselves,” he said.
Named this year’s governor’s awardee for her exemplary leadership was Kayla Marie M. Techur while the Principal’s Award went to Jake Maratita.
SSHS named Rita Indalecio as the class principal’s awardee while Caoleng also received the PTA award.
CNMI first lady Josie Fitial named Jocelyn Cabrera as this year’s recipient of the OFEGRA Award while Johnny Tomei received the Manta Award.
The school conferred diplomas to 163 graduates.
