(MTEC) — With the 2023 Marianas Tourism Golf Classic set for Saturday, Sept. 2, fast approaching, the recipient of the first post-secondary scholarship from tournament beneficiary Marianas Tourism Education Council is also teeing off on her doctorate in special education this fall.
Reynafe Aniga was president of the Saipan Southern High School MY WAVE (Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically) Club when she graduated in 2017, after first joining the tourism club in middle school.
“I joined MY WAVE as a member because of how active the club was in the community,” said Aniga. “Their frequent beach cleanups and other fun participation in community events were really appealing to me. I saw it as a way of expanding my learning outside of the classroom. MY WAVE gave me multiple opportunities to learn about Saipan and its hospitality industry, and being a MY WAVE Officer helped me develop leadership skills.”
Aniga’s favorite memory of MY WAVE is participating in the Marianas Visitors Authority’s annual Christmas in the Marianas caroling contest and parade, where the club won 1st place for skit and caroling for three years in a row. She said the MTEC seed scholarship of $1,000 helped her move forward in her college plans.
“Because of my experience with hospitality and tourism through MY WAVE, I was inspired to pursue a degree in that field. So, I applied to the #1 school in hospitality, which is at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas,” she said. “I got accepted and moved, but during my time here (in Las Vegas) I was exposed to so many different things that led to my switch in careers.”
Aniga is now a registered behavior technician who provides therapy to autistic children. She is working towards getting her board-certified behavior analyst credentials, just a step up from the behavior technician position. She has a BA Degree in Psychology, a minor in Neuroscience, and an MA in Special Education with the specialty Applied Behavior Analysis.
“Throughout my entire time here…I’ve applied the leadership skills and people skills that I’ve learned from being involved with MY WAVE,” said Aniga. “My current career centers on working with people, which is similar to the tourism/hospitality industry. I may have switched to a career so different than my initial plan, but the ideals of being welcoming and compassionate towards people I work with remain the same.”
A portion of the proceeds of the Marianas Tourism Golf Classic will go toward offering a scholarship to a graduating senior who has been a member of MY WAVE during high school. Tournament registration forms and sponsorship details are now available on the Marianas Calendar at www.mymarianas.com, and the early bird registration fee of $120 had been extended to Aug. 30.
“Even if you are unsure about whether or not you want to work in the tourism/hospitality field, the connections you make and the skills you build will be something that you can hold onto and apply regardless of where you go!” said Aniga. “Biba MY WAVE!”
Tournament registration —including payment — is being accepted at LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort (credit card or cash only) and the MVA office (cash or check only) on Beach Road, Garapan, at the Gold Beach Hotel building. Checks should be made payable to Marianas Tourism Education Council. Optional play is $30.
For more information, contact Marianas Tourism Golf Classic Committee Chairman Martin Duenas at mduenas@mymarianas.com or committee member Jack Aranda at jaranda@mymarianas.com or call (670) 664.3200/1.
Reynafe Aniga, University of Nevada, Las Vegas Master’s in Special Education, graduation photo, Dec. 2022.
