The Public School System-Chamorro and Carolinian Language Heritage Studies or CCLHS Program held the third annual performing arts competition on Saturday at Saipan Southern High School. About 400 students from 20 public schools participated.
Over the past three years, Ada said, nearly 2,000 students have participated in the competition.
“These students come from all walks of life and different cultural backgrounds, but they all honor the islands’ indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian heritage. Everyone here is proud of you, students. You are our cultural champions. You are keeping the legacy of the Chamorro and Carolinian ancestors alive,” he told the participating students on Saturday.
First lady Diann Torres, Associate Education Commissioner Jackie Quitugua, Education Commissioner Dr. Alfred Ada and Board of Education member Andrew Orsini were among the guests at the 3rd annual performing arts competition of the Public School System-Chamorro and Carolinian Language Heritage Studies Program at Saipan Southern High School on Saturday.
First lady Diann T. Torres, Board of Education member Andrew Orsini, associate commissioner for instructional services Jackie Quitugua, and Rep. LJ Castro were among the guests.
In encouraging parents to teach their children the native languages, Mrs. Torres recommended starting with small words. “Just do it and let us begin and let’s act on it,” she added.
Quitugua agreed, saying: “It is never too late for parents and grandparents to teach the children.”
The participating Hopwood Middle School students and their teachers pose for a photo. Photos by Lori Lyn C. Lirio
While the goal is to encourage the young generation to speak and appreciate the local languages and the Chamorro and Carolinian cultures, CCLHS program director Jonas Barcinas said the competition also “serves as an educational platform to give our students the opportunity to showcase what they have learned from their teachers. This will also help build a positive mindset among our students and parents.”
Barcinas added, “Our students demonstrated excellent performances in their respective categories and it is very powerful and exciting to see parents, grandparents, and family members being at the event to witness and support the participants.”
In the past, the competition was held from two to five days.
“This year, we were able to complete the competition by 12:30 [in the afternoon],” Barcinas said. “We are improving every year,” he added as he also thanked the event sponsors, which included Docomo Pacific, TSL Foundation, Pacifica Insurance, and CNMI lawmakers.
Overall winners
Essay – Chacha Ocean View Middle School, Danyana Borja
Poster – Marianas High School, Jaime Navarro
Storytelling – Tanapag Middle School
Oratorical – Rota High School, Dawno Agbayani
Dual Language Proficiency – Marianas High School
Children’s Choir – Koblerville Elementary School
Choral Reading – Francisco M. Sablan Middle School
Solo Singing Male/Female -Marianas High School
Cultural Chant – Hopwood Middle School
Contemporary Dance – Hopwood Middle School
By category and division
Essay, Middle School
Chamorro
1st Place – Chacha Ocean View Middle School, Danyana Borja
2nd Place – Chacha Ocean View Middle School, Tyara Reann Cruz
3rd Place – Chacha Ocean View Middle School, Chadlen Heaven Murphy
Carolinian
1st place: Francisco M. Sablan Middle School, Sebastian Saito
Essay High School
Chamorro
1st Place- Marianas High School, Mark Pangelinan
Poster, Elementary
1st place – Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School, Nikita Megino
2nd place – Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School, Anton Megino
3rd place – Kagman Elementary School, Kahalena Ngiratoi
Poster, Middle
1st place – Francisco M. Sablan Middle School, Frank Lumalan
2nd place – Tanapag Middle School, Agelina Pua
3rd place – Chacha Ocean View Middle School, Heaven Murphy
Poster, High School
1st place – Marianas High School, Ma Jaime Navarro
2nd place – Marianas High School, Ken Aldan
Storytelling, Elementary
Chamorro
1st place – Garapan Elementary School
2nd place – San Vicente Elementary School
3rd place – Oleai Elementary School
Carolinian
1st place – Kagman Elementary School
Storytelling – Middle School Chamorro:
1st place – Tanapag Middle School
2nd place – Hopwood Middle School
Carolinian
1st place – Francisco M. Sablan Middle School
2nd place – Hopwood Middle School
Oratorical, Chamorro
1st place – Dr. Rita H. Inos Junior and High School, Dawno Agbayani
2nd place – Dr. Rita H. Inos Junior and Senior High School, Abriette Manglona
3rd place – Marianas High School
Dual Language Proficiency
1st place – Marianas High School
Children’s Choir
Chamorro
1st place – Koblerville Elementary School
2nd place – Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School
3rd place – Oleai Elementary School
Carolinian
1st place – Koblerville Elementary School
Choral Reading Elementary
Chamorro
1st place – Oleai Elementary School
2nd place – Koblerville Elementary School
3rd place – Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School
Carolinian
1st place – Koblerville Elementary School
2nd place – Kagman Elementary School
Choral Reading, Middle School
Chamorro
1st place – Hopwood Middle School
2nd place – Francisco M. Sablan Middle School
3rd place – Dandan Middle School
Carolinian
1st place – Francisco M. Sablan Middle School
2nd place – Hopwood Middle School
Cultural Chant/Dance, Middle School
Chamorro
1st place – Hopwood Middle School
2nd place – Tanapag Middle School
Carolinian
1st place – Francisco M. Sablan Middle School
2nd place – Tanapag Middle School
Cultural Chant/Dance High School
Carolinian
1st place – Marianas High School
Contemporary Dance Middle School
Chamorro
1st place – Hopwood Middle School
2nd place – Tanapag Middle School
Carolinian
1st place – Francisco M. Sablan Middle School
2nd place – Hopwood Middle School
Contemporary Dance High School
Chamorro
1st place – Marianas High School
Solo Singing, Male
Chamorro
1sp place – Marianas High School
Solo Singing Female
Chamorro
Marianas High School
