Defending their titles are Saipan Community School and Saipan Southern High School which topped the junior and high school categories last year.
Organized by the Light in the Eve Foundation, the event aims to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the islands’ coral reefs.
This year’s theme is “Fantasea.”
The contest starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. The entries will be judged based on creativity, degree of difficulty, composition and presentation.
Light in the Eve Foundation president Teresa Kim-Tenorio said cash prizes ranging from $100 to $300 will be awarded to the first, second and third best teams.
One of the teams will also get the Starfish Award, which Rota Junior High School received last year.
“This year is a bit different because in the past, we always require that part of the piece that they create have a castle in it,” Kim-Tenorio said. “On Saturday, the competition is pretty much free sculpting focusing on our theme — Fantasea!”
She added, “We’re very excited because again, we have representations from our three islands. Tinian High School and Rota Junior High are coming.”
This year, Kim-Tenorio said the foundation will also provide public and private schools with recycle bins to educate students on recycling waste.
Besides the competition tomorrow, there will be games at the contest site and a mini-booth will be set up by the CNMI Coral Reef Initiative Program to provide information and environmental tips to members of the public.
In the junior category, defending champion Saipan Community School will compete with Hopwood Junior High, Ladera International School of Saipan, Rota Junior High School, Saipan International School, Whispering Palms School, and Grace Christian Academy.
Eight teams will compete in the high school category: GCA, LISS, Marianas Baptist Academy, Mount Carmel School, SIS, Tinian High School, and the defending champion, Saipan Southern High School.
Australia’s master sand sculptor Steve Machell will conduct a free workshop for the participants today at the Hyatt beach park.
“It feels great to be here again,” he said. “I am excited to see what the teams are about to build this year.”
He said he will create a sandcastle for the event.
“I am sure they will love it,” Machell added.
This year’s sponsors include the Marianas Visitors Authority, Mobil, Younis Arts Studio/Marianas Variety, the Hyatt Regency, AYD, Sablan Topline Company, Century Hotel, Power 99, Herman’s Bakery, Pacific Telecom Inc., Gresco, Saipan Stevedore, and Chokechain Athletics.
