The top 10 graduates of Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior High School’s Class of 2023: valedictorian Jermaine Chloe Baltazar Yalung; salutatorian Kaitlyn Amber Indong Balgoa; (3) Ilaiza Ayala Camacho; (4) Glenda Sophia Camacho Valdezco; (5) Amber Nicole Atalig Mendiola; (6) James Ralph Nuqui Emata; (7) Shaniyah Marie Rangamar Cabrera; (8) Kate Ramiro Manglona; (9) Jaselle Isa Flawau Manglona and (10) John Kent Dela Cruz. (More photos on page 6)
JERMAINE Chloe Baltazar Yalung and Kaitlyn Amber Indong Balgoa were the top graduates of the Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Senior High School’s Class of 2023.
They and 37 other seniors received their diplomas on Friday at the Rota Round House in Songsong village.
In their message, the graduates praised their parents:
“We are so honored and blessed to have you in our life and we want to extend our deepest gratitude for your guidance throughout our four years of high school. It has been a challenge to face the previous school years and, despite the recurring obstacles we had to face, you were always there for us — with us. We made it to where we are now because of your love and support.”
According to their advisers, Armi Atalig, Vivian Atalig, Crystal Calvo and Joycelynn Atalig, the graduating seniors are called the “Originals” because of their belief that they are always original when it comes to their individuality, style, ideas, and point of view.
School Principal D. Tanya King said she can attest that in her 40 years as an educator, “the Class of 2023 is truly the original: resolute, inquisitive, talented, and intelligent.”
The Rota Round House, located a few feet from the shoreline, was a different site from a week earlier. The high school seniors took it upon themselves to clean and spruce up their graduation venue, which was littered with debris left behind by Typhoon Mawar, which devastated the neighboring island of Guam on May 24. The Rota seniors’ graduation ceremony was originally scheduled for May 31.
Awardees
The class valedictorian, Jermaine Chloe Baltazar Yalung, received the Board of Education Academic Excellence Award from BOE Chairman Antonio L. Borja and Vice Chairman Herman Atalig.
Yalung will pursue higher education at Boise State University.
Kaitlyn Amber Indong Balgoa, the class salutatorian, received the Commissioner of Education Award from Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada, who was with Senior Director Jackie Quitugua, Senior Director Dr. Rizalina Liwag, Federal Programs Officer Jacqueline Che, Instructional Technology and Distance Education Director Lorraine Catienza, Human Resources Officer Lucretia Deleon Guerrero, Finance Director Arlene Lizama and Office of Pupil Transportation Director and acting Associate Commissioner Shawn San Nicolas.
Balgoa will join the United States Coast Guard.
Completing the top 10 are: (3) Ilaiza Ayala Camacho, who will pursue a degree in Bio-Environmental Engineering while serving in the U.S. Air Force; (4) Glenda Sophia Camacho Valdezco, who is enlisting in the Coast Guard and eventually will enter the Coast Guard Academy; (5) Amber Nicole Atalig Mendiola, who will enlist in the U.S. Air Force and pursue a career in aviation and engineering; (6) James Ralph Nuqui Emata, who will join the U.S. Air Force; (7) Shaniyah Marie Rangamar Cabrera, who will pursue higher education; (8) Kate Ramiro Manglona, who will “take a break after high school to scout for opportunities”; (9) Jaselle Isa Flawau Manglona, who will relocate to Oregon to pursue a degree in computer science; and (10) John Kent Dela Cruz Clitar, who will take up a degree in business management with Northern Marianas College.
Plans
As for the rest of the graduates:
Aaron Seb Ogo will attend a trade school to study mechanics; Anderson Asarin will pursue a military career; Jacques Barcinas will also join the military; Anthony Barcinas II will join the workforce and explore future pathways; Nestor Catbagan Jr. will join the workforce; Lucas Jose Manglona will also join the workforce; Robin Joe Camacho will join the military; Mark Crisostomo will pursue higher education; Christiana Ina Atalig will pursue a degree in business management; Andres Jose Santos will enlist in the U.S. Coast Guard; Sean Gabriel Macugay will join the police academy; Tyric Christopher will join the fire department; Nadia Jade Arriola will pursue a bachelor’s degree in business; Michael Jan Cantil will explore career opportunities; James Atalig “plans to live a life worth living”; Ambrosio Alubia Jr. will attend NMC to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education and work hard to become a social media influencer; Hana Nicole Balaan will explore various career interests and pursue college; Tammy Fernandez has already enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and will major in nursing; Mamet Clayton Manglona will enlist in the U.S. Air Force; Jaroy Manglona will enlist in the U.S. Army; Tye Jordan will attend NMC; Landen Draje Atalig will pursue a career in the airline industry; Vander Myers is preparing for his Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test and plans to enlist in the U.S. Coast Guard; Jayveka Lziama will join the workforce; Saige Hanna Ogo will pursue an entrepreneurship degree in college; and Isabel Elehna Manglona will pursue higher education with a major in history.
Grades don’t define you
Class valedictorian Yalung is also a perennial first place winner in many state-level competitions. But for her, grades do not matter at all.
“It is fine if you are not number 1, or number 2, or number 38 or number 39 in the class. Grade doesn’t matter,” Yalung said in her address.
“It should not be a reason for you not to go out there and not set the world on fire,” she said, referring their theme, “Go Forth and Set the World on Fire.”
Yalung told her classmates to pursue their dreams and not let others dictate what their life goals should be.
“All hardship and struggles are worth it because of the result. At the end of the day, you are your own person. You make your own trajectory. You cannot let the other person dictate what you want for your life,” Yalung said.
She also paid tribute to her parents — Marni and Jennifer Yalung — for their love, hard work, and sacrifices.
Roller-coaster ride
Salutatorian Balgoa described her high school journey as a meaningful roller-coaster ride.
“My high school year has definitely been a roller-coaster ride filled with wonderful memories. I landed many positions that have opened countless opportunities for me to grow as a leader and a person,” Balgoa said.
She said she believes that her fellow graduates will succeed in life.
“You all have the potential to be someone great and I know one way or the other, you will make many meaningful impacts on this world whether big or small,” Balgoa said.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re the valedictorian, the salutatorian or part of the top 10. What truly matters is what you do after high school. What matters is the person that you will become as you start your life. As the years go by, no one will remember what position or ranking you held in high school. What people will truly remember is the life and achievements you accomplish after high school,” she added.
In her honor
Rota holds a special place in Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada’s professional career, he told the graduates.
The island is the birthplace of his mentor, the late Commissioner of Education Dr. Rita Hocog Inos.
“In 1998 she appointed me as vice principal. I told her, ‘I am not ready yet.’ But she believed in me. She told me I was ready. ‘If not you, who?’ ” Ada quoted her as saying.
“I want to thank her who is in heaven. And I want you to thank those who continue to believe in you,” he added.
“I have Dr. Inos to thank for believing in me. I am here now, and I will continue to make sure that RHI students will be served and become champions,” he said.
“My point is, I had a mentor. It was those words of wisdom — ‘you can do it’ — that made an impact. I am here, 30 years later, serving all of you, Class of 2023.”
Tribute
Before the graduates turned their tassels, Ada and Senior Director for Curriculum and Instruction Jackie Quitugua called RHI Principal D. Tanya King to the stage for a surprise tribute.
They then presented the RHI principal with the Public School System Distinguished Education Award for her nearly 29 years of service.
King is retiring from the school system. She has also served as a school counselor, classroom teacher, vice principal and Board of Education member.
“It is an honor to really present this award to a very admirable, caring, committed and loving individual that has served our communities, that has served our PSS family, that has engaged our families in the island of Rota,” Quitugua said.
“We are forever grateful,” Ada told King.
The members of Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Senior High School’s Class of 2023 at the Rota Round House on June 2.
Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada and RHI Principal D. Tanya King with Board of Education Chairman Antonio L. Borja and Vice Chairman Herman Atalig.
Valedictorian Jermaine Chloe Baltazar Yalung, the recipient of the Governor’s Leadership Award, poses for a photo with Henry Hofschneider, the chief of staff of Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, and Barbara Sablan, the governor’s special assistant for women’s affairs.
Glenda Sophia Valdezco is the recipient of the Lt. Governor’s Leadership Award which was presented by Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang’s chief of staff, Henry Hofschneider, and Special Assistant for Women’s Affairs Barbara Sablan. Also in photo are Rota Mayor Aubrey Hocog, Senate Vice President Donald Manglona, Sen. Paul A. Manglona and other officials.
Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog with Senate Vice President Donald Manglona and other officials present the Mayor’s Award to class valedictorian Jermaine Chloe Baltazar Yalung.
Senior Director for Curriculum and Instruction Jackie Quitugua, center, and Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada, right, present the Distinguished Public Education Award to RHI Principal D. Tanya King for her 29 years services as educator in various capacities. A former Board of Education member, King is retiring next month.
Rota Municipal Council members Jim Atalig, Frederic Manglona and Jonovan Lizama present the 18th Rota Municipal Council’s Most Improved Award to Sean Gabriel Macugay. Also in photo are Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog, Special Assistant for Women’s Affairs Barbara Sablan and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang’s Chief of Staff Henry Hofschneider.
