THE 18th CNMI Youth Congress welcomed three new members in a ceremony held on Sept. 17, 2022 in the House chamber.
The new youth senators sworn in by Youth Congress Speaker Yurihana DLG Sasamoto are Ichiro E. Tomokane from Marianas High School, who will complete the term of former Youth Sen. Easton Dela Cruz; (2) Tamisha Lia DB Sablan, who fill the seat vacated by former Youth Congress Vice Speaker Liekeila’akata Iakopo of Kagman High School; and (3) Ysabella Nikonia Rita V. Palacios who succeeds former Youth Congress Speaker Cielo G. Long.
The three former your senators have left the Commonwealth to pursue educational and career opportunities in the U.S.
Attending the swearing-in ceremony were Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Speaker Edmund Villagomez, Vice Speaker Blas Jonathan T. Attao, House Floor Leader Ralph N. Yumul, House Minority Leader and former Youth Senator Angel A. Demapan, and Rep. Leila Staffler. Representing the Senate was Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan.
In addition to the family members and friends of the new youth senators, Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada and Board of Education Vice Chairman Antonio L. Borja also attended the swearing-in ceremony together with the principals and vice principals of the new youth senators’ schools.
Big shoes to fill
In her opening remarks, Youth Speaker Yurihana DLG Sasamoto imparted encouragement to her new colleagues, saying, “You all have big shoes to fill, and though this responsibility may feel like a huge mountain to climb, you will not scale it alone. We stand ready to work with you for the betterment of our youth.”
Sasamoto also stressed on the importance of the oath of office, citing its place in Commonwealth history. “You have come before your loved ones and our leaders to swear an oath that every governor, mayor, legislator, councilperson, board member, commissioner, justice of the peace, department head and government employee that has come before you has recited in a binding covenant with our Commonwealth and her people.”
She said the oath the youth senators took was the same one that each Youth Congress senator who came before them took when they assumed office.
Beyond excited
In their statements, each of the new youth senator took the time to address those in attendance and express their gratitude.
“I am beyond excited to be working with you all and look forward to everything the Youth Congress has to offer,” said Youth Sen. Ichiro E. Tomokane who was a candidate in last year’s Youth Congress election.
Youth Sen. Ysabella Nikonia Rita V. Palacios, a 10th grader at Tinian Jr.-Sr. High School, who is the youngest member of the body, expressed her enthusiasm and excitement, saying, “I am looking forward to collaborating with all of my colleagues for the remaining term of the 18th…Youth Congress, and this will be a valuable learning experience for me.”
Youth Sen. Tamisha Sablan, who also serves as Kagman High School’s student council president, said, “Thank you to my family and friends for all the unconditional support that you have shown me. I wouldn’t be here today without you all.” She also expressed her optimism in fulfilling their tasks as Youth Congress senators.
High honor
Elected leaders in attendance addressed the newly sworn-in youth senators.
Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez stressed the importance of serving in office. “(It is) something you shouldn’t take for granted, and something you should hold in high honor. Your peers look up to you, your families are going to look up to you, and we also look to you for ideas, not just for the youth, but also for the community.”
Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan said the experience each of them will have as youth senators will be a great one. He said they should listen to the concerns of their peers and put them into action through legislation and programs.
House Minority Leader Angel A. Demapan, who is the first member of the Youth Congress elected to the Legislature, said he is grateful to see the Youth Congress still maintaining an active presence.
“There’s never anything wrong with giving back to our community,” he told the youth senators. “There’s never anything wrong with being a part of the process of building a better and stronger Marianas for everybody. Thank you for being bold enough to make tough decisions to benefit our youth.”
Vice Speaker Blas Jonathan T. Attao and Rep. Leila Staffler said they look forward to what the youth senators will do in office, while House Floor Leader Ralph N. Yumul looks forward to seeing their bills reach the House once the Youth Congress approves them.
Greater good
For his part, Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios urged not just the new members, but the body as a whole to look beyond their respective campuses and work together for the greater good of their community.
Palacios advised them to “choose a subject you are passionate about and go after it” by championing a cause and coming up with legislation and programs.
Palacios is the uncle of Tinian’s Youth Sen. Ysabella Nikonia Rita V. Palacios.
The CNMI Youth Congress was created by Public Law 8-27 which was repealed and re-enacted by P.L. 17-22. Since then, three youth senators have been elected to public office at the municipal and legislative levels, with many more former youth senators now involved in business, education and public service here and abroad.
According to Youth Congress Coordinator Luis John Castro, the elections for the 19th CNMI Youth Congress will be held on March 6, 2023. He hopes that schools that have had representatives in the past but not in the recent terms of the Youth Congress will field candidates in the upcoming election.
Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, center back row, Speaker Edmund Villagomez, second right, back row, Youth Congress Speaker Yurihana DLG Sasamoto, fourth left front row, Education Commissioner Alfred Ada, third left, and other members of the Legislature pose for a photo with newly sworn in Youth Sens. Ysabella V. Palacios, left center, Tamisha Lia Sablan, center, and Zenn Ichiro E. Tomokane, fourth right, in the House chamber.
