VINNIE Juan Quitugua Sablan of Kagman High School was elected speaker of the 19th Youth Congress which was sworn in on Saturday in the Senate chamber.
The other officers are Marianas High School’s Peaches Fiona Gruta Bayot, vice speaker; Mount Carmel School’s Maili Borja Peter, floor leader; and Tinian Junior/Senior High School’s Ysabella Nikonia Rita Villagomez Palacios, secretary.
The committee chairs are:
Grace Christian Academy’s Ayden Sean Camacho Yumul, Education; Rita H. Inos Junior/Senior High School’s Aden Hocog Calvo, Resources, Economic Development and Tourism; Saipan Southern High School’s Mickyiel Josh Cabrera, Ways and Means; Saipan International School’s Filomenaleonisa Maratita Iakopo, Sports and Recreation; Bayot, Health and Welfare; and Palacios, Judiciary and Governmental Operations.
Voice of the youth
In his remarks, Sablan told his fellow youth senators to always remember that “we are not just a voice of our schools but a voice for the youth of the CNMI.”
He thanked his father, former Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan, and his mother, Roca Q. Sablan, “for being my ultimate inspiration. Thank you for raising me to be respectful, humble, confident, and to always have and act with integrity. It is because of you guys that I’m the person sitting here today. I dedicate my success story to you both. I love you with all my heart.”
Iakopo, for her part, said they should “demand change for the betterment of our youth.”
She noted that “our islands have encountered many obstacles over the recent years. We have endured a Category 5 typhoon, the Covid-19 pandemic, and economic struggles. But through it all, we have proven ourselves to be resilient. We have come together to support one another and to rebuild our communities, I believe that this same spirit of resilience can be harnessed to address the challenges faced by our youth.”
Peter said one of her goals is to increase youth involvement in business.
As youth senators, she added, “we are already maturing into critical roles and leadership positions.”
She said they must “work alongside different entities to allow students, just like us, to learn to fulfill responsibilities big or small.”
She believes that they have “the competence to create positive changes within their schools and the CNMI.”
She also wants to resolve issues regarding food waste in schools, adding that “many times students are not satisfied with the meals” which end up “going into the trash.”
Not just a title
Calvo wants the youth of the Commonwealth to “unite not as the individual communities of Rota, Tinian, or Saipan but as one Commonwealth.”
Palacios acknowledged that a youth senator “is not just a title they hold — it’s a job, and it’s a hard one.”
She said they have “the power to affect change and to affect the people around us.”
Palacios said she has no doubt that they can accomplish many great things, and “I look forward to working with you all and I’m extremely grateful to have this opportunity with you guys.”
Cabrera said his “one true goal is to help…mak[e] a lasting positive impact. I’ll support my fellow senators so that through our teamwork and collaboration we can succeed in fulfilling this goal. When I leave, I wish to depart with the knowledge that I helped with every part of the process…[and] that I left the CNMI in a better state than when I entered [this chamber].”
Bills passed by the Youth Congress are forwarded to the governor and the presiding officers of the Legislature “for disposition.”
From left, Youth Sens. Ade Calvo, Ayden Yumul, Filomenaleonisa Iaokopo, Maili Peter, Youth Speaker Vinnie Juan Sablan, Youth Vice Speaker Fiona Bayot, Youth Sens. Ysabella Palacios and Mickyiel Josh Cabrera in the Senate chamber on Saturday.
