OVER 1,000 high school students on Monday cast their votes for the Youth Congress.
Participating in the election were students of Marianas High School, Kagman High School, Saipan Southern High School, Rita Hocog Inos Junior-Senior High School, Tinian Junior-Senior High School, Mount Carmel School, Saipan International School and Grace Christian Academy.
To be eligible to vote students must be 14 to 18 years old.
The Youth Congress candidates are Peaches Fiona Bayot, Sara Elizabeth C. Keaton, James Gavriel Matias Mercader, and Jia Ross Nicdao of MHS; Jaidiann Justis Cabrera and Vinnie Juan Q. Sablan, KHS; Myckiel Josh B. Cabrera, SSHS; Aden Chonne Hocog Calvo, RHI; incumbent Youth Sen. Ysabella V. Palacios, TJSHS; Ayden Sean Yumul, GCA; Maili I.B. Peter, MCS; and Filomenaleonisa T. Iakopo, SIS.
Those eligible to run for the Youth Congress are high school students from ninth to 11th grades or are from 14 to 17 years old.
Each school will elect one youth senator who will serve a two-year term.
Of the 1,600 students at MHS, 900 registered to vote, Vice Principal Romolo Orsini said, adding that the election was going smoothly.
“I hope the students get their voices heard, and may the best candidate win,” Orsini said.
The MHS counseling team chaired by Kimberly Manglona assisted in the election process. The other counselors who helped were Gabrielle Race, Margarette Aldan, Don Marshall Cabrera and Alyssa Attao. Also providing assistance was student intern Brent Michael Espineda.
As of 11 a.m., majority of the 900 registered voters had cast their ballots in the MHS cafeteria.
MHS English language teacher Jonathan Cabrera said he was glad that the students are learning the importance of voting, and ensuring that those they elect will represent their interest. His students, he added, were excited to cast their votes.
Youth Congress Secretary/Coordinator Luis John Castro said the votes will be counted by school officials with the assistance of Legislative Bureau staffers. After the votes are counted, the results will be certified by House Floor Leader Edwin K. Propst.
Castro noted that among the candidates are children of former legislators. They are Vinnie Juan Q. Sablan, the son of former Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan; and Maili Peter, the daughter of former Rep. Marco T. Peter and granddaughter of former Rep. Malua T. Peter.
Castro said this year also marks the 25th anniversary since the Youth Congress first convened in 1998.
Marianas High School 10th grader Isidro Lizama casts his vote in the MHS cafeteria at 11 a.m. Monday.