Caleb Jack L. Sablan, center, is this year’s class valedictorian. He received the Board of Education Academic Excellence Award from BOE Chairman Antonio L. Borja, left, and BOE Secretary/Treasurer Gregory Pat Borja.
George Samuel D. Vinuya, center, is the class salutatorian and recipient of the Commissioner of Education Award which was presented by Dr. Alfred B. Ada, left, and Associate Commissioner for Administrative Services Eric Magofna.
The Excellence in Leadership Award was presented to Jude Solidum Burgos, center, by FMS Principal Cherlyn Cabrera Osung, left, and Vice Principal Catherine Acera-Cabrera.
141 sixth graders of Francisco M. Sablan Middle School were promoted to high school on Tuesday morning at the jam-packed Koblerville gymnasium.
Known as the “Napu Riders of 2023,” the promotees are “supertyphoon proof, pandemic-proof, storm-proof, power-outage proof, and, waterproof,” FMS Principal Cherlyn Cabrera Osung said.
Napu means “wave,” “rough water” or “surf” in Chamorro.
The promoted class of FMS chose as their theme, “We paddle through the waves, always ready for a new beginning.”
Caleb Jack L. Sablan is the class valedictorian and recipient of the Board of Education Academic Excellence Award, which he received from BOE Chairman Antonio L. Borja and BOE Secretary/Treasurer Gregory Pat Borja.
George Samuel D. Vinuya is salutatorian and the recipient of the Commissioner of Education Academic Excellence Award, which was presented to him by Education Commissioner Dr. Alfred B. Ada and Associate Commissioner for Administrative Services Eric Magofna.
The Excellence in Leadership Award was presented to Jude Solidum Burgos by FMS Principal Osung and Vice Principal Catherine Acera-Cabrera.
Eleven academic subject awardees were also announced. Four of these — for Academic Excellence as well as subject awards for Science, Language Arts, Carolinian Language and Heritage Studies, and Fine Arts — went to the class valedictorian, Sablan.
Four of the awards – Excellence in Physical Education, Mathematics, Fine Arts, and Project Lead the Way/Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics — went to the class salutatorian, Vinuya.
Three awards — Excellence in the Subject of Computer Literacy III, Chamorro Language and Heritage Studies, and Social Studies — went to Jarah May L. Famularcano.
Daniel Sano received the Distinguished Middle School Leadership Corps Award for Leadership Excellence for his “commendable conduct in the performance of outstanding service as the commander of cadets,” and for “distinguished performance and outstanding leadership.”
Jared Clint Villagomez Manahane received the Napu Spirit Award for “exemplifying amazing school spirit and citizenship,” and for being “a true Napu Rider who rides the wave to success, commitment and perseverance, when no task was too big, and no effort too small.”
Worked hard for it
In his address, class valedictorian Sablan paid tribute to his promoted peers.
“Class of 2023, we made it. We completed three whole years of middle school, and we are now going to high school. We did it even though there was a global pandemic that affected our way of life. Congratulations everyone,” he said.
Sablan said when he learned that he was in the running for the top honor, “I decided I wanted it. I worked hard for it, pushed myself for it, and became ambitious for it. All my hard work paid off,” he said. “But no reward will ever make me happier than the journey I took to achieve it. My journey from the first year I attended FMS to now has made me way happier than finding out that I was valedictorian.”
Sablan thanked his parents, Jack and Pon Sablan, for providing him with all the support he said, and his aunt and grandmother “for everything.”
He also thanked his friends, teachers, classmates and school leaders for helping him accomplish his goal.
Tough journey
Class salutatorian Vinuya, in his address, said despite all the disasters they faced, they are now ready for high school.
“It is indeed an amazing and tough journey. Despite all the disasters in life, we stood still, we are flexible… and we are ready to face the next challenge of our life — and that is high school,” said Vinuya.
Being a “Napu Rider,” said Vinuya, “is a great feeling because this a place where knowledge, wisdom, memories, and unforgettable experiences were acquired.”
“We learned not only the academics but lifelong learning skills that helped us to be responsible, persistent, and a good team leader. Serving as an active member in various clubs shaped me to become a better version of me,” Vinuya said.
The class salutatorian dedicated his success to his parents and sister. “I know I kept this as a surprise to you. Please stand up and be recognized for being so supportive of me and FMS. I’ll be trying my hardest in high school so I can be more successful and make you proud,” he said.
Milestone
This year’s batch of promoted students, like their peers from other schools, experienced the challenges of learning caused by the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.
For nearly three years, PSS said it delivered uninterrupted learning and instruction through online learning.
“We have endured a profound disaster. But we did it all together. Today, we are celebrating a tremendous milestone, my dear promotees, each one of you earned an individual milestone,” Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada said.
“Three years ago we have to close our schools to ensure we and you are all safe. We have to establish protocols, procure masks and hand sanitizers and implement strict sanitations. You learned while socially distanced.
“Now, we are all here stronger together — in this milestone,” Ada said.
FMS Principal Osung expressed hope that the promoted class of 2023 will carry forward what they have learned in middle school.
“Aside from the lessons we’ve tried to instill in you, my hope is that you will learn from the life lessons all around us — to keep paddling, keep going, keep trying, keep learning, keep growing and keep reaching new levels of success and happiness,” she said.
