REPRESENTING the CNMI, eleven students hailing from different schools took part in the Close-Up Insular Program in Washington, D.C. from May 13 to 28. The group toured our nation’s capital along with other students from different states, territories, and Palau. The group also visited locations in Williamsburg, Arlington, Philadelphia, and New York City.
The Close-Up Program is a program aimed at teaching students about government through seeing new places and meeting different people that makes our government possible. The program also gives students a chance to practice being future government leaders and to listen to each other’s voices.
The 11 students from the CNMI were Sharon Calamaan, Sara Keaton, Zenn Tomokane, and Amira De Guzman of Marianas High School; Jimmina Flamar of Kagman High School; Tammy Fernandez of Rota’s Dr. Rita H. Inos Jr./Sr. High School; Andrew Sunderland and Elyza Pamintuan of Saipan Southern High School; Ismail Hossain of Tinian Jr./Sr. High School; Tiana Cabrera of Saipan International School; and Ryan Quitano of Da’ok Academy. They were accompanied by PSS Close-Up advisor Vinni Orsini and Patricia Sablan from Marianas High School.
While in Washington, the students got the chance to tour different sites and memorials with significance to U.S. history. Some of the areas included the U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and much more. As they visited the areas, they were tasked with gathering information and understanding the significance of the location. Students also got the chance to meet with U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, and asked questions regarding his profession and what he does on behalf of the CNMI.
“The location that I probably loved the most was Capitol Hill. I loved that location the most because I got to meet Congressman Kilili Sablan and I also got to see the inside of the Capitol,” Elyza Pamintuan recounted.
“My favorite and most memorable place I enjoyed going to was the memorial for the Vietnam War because the view was amazing and the drawings explained the war very well and the statutes. Not only did it bring peace, but it reminded me of my grandpa a lot since he was part of the war,” Tiana Cabrera said.
Once they completed a day out in the city, the students headed back to the hotel to discuss what they learned. Students then engaged in activities that focused on the site they visited, the values of our nation, and our government. One notable activity was the Mock Congress activity where students were given issues about our nation in which they debated. Once a decision was made, the students drafted laws of their own and voted on whether the law should be passed.
Andrew Sunderland pointed out that “one important idea I took away from the workshops is that most decisions are not clear cut at all. In fact, many of them have compromises for upsides and downsides. Everyone knows this, but I think it was important to see this type of idea in action ourselves as students. Our discussion was about climate change, and multiple options were given to us in groups for us to decide how we would enact policies that would affect the whole nation. Everything had pros and cons, forcing us to debate our positions on what policies were more effective than others. It was surely a learning experience for everyone.”
In their final week, the students toured Colonial Williamsburg, Philadelphia’s Independence Hall/Liberty Bell, and multiple locations around New York City such as the Statue of Liberty and the 9/11 Memorial. With all of that traveling, the students got to learn more about our nation’s history and government, and how they could become better citizens.
Sharon Calamaan commented, “My experiences from the program have pushed me into wanting to assert more action in my island because I feel like my generation has the voice and courage to change many of the issues that Saipan suffers through.”
As their trip finally came to a close, the students embraced as they departed home to their parents and revered the trip as memorable and life-changing. We asked what they thought was memorable from the trip and Ryan Quitano said, “The people I was surrounded by, My group and the other island groups made those unfamiliar waters easier to sail through, We started bare but built a support structure that could lift us all.”
Amira De Guzman stated, “What really made this trip memorable were the friends I made throughout the entirety of it. I was able to meet wonderful and intellectual people from places I’ve never been to, and I was able to have deeper bonds with the CNMI group.”
The students also enjoyed the locations they visited, with Jimmina Flamar saying “the Smithsonian Museum of National History is my favorite! I was roaming around when I stumbled upon stone money. Being Yapese, this made me so emotional. I was so happy. happy beyond words. It was such an honor!”
The chaperones, too, expressed appreciation for being able to come on this trip. Mr. Vinni Orsini who is the Close-Up advisor for the CNMI noted, “I enjoyed the various personalities the students had. They made discussion and field trip enjoyable because they were so varied and personable.”
Orsini added, “I want to see the students in this trip give the experience to learn about the CNMI’s government for their peers in the islands. I want to see them lead a forum or a field trip using places on their own islands to teach students about government.”
Ms. Patricia Sablan has lived in D.C. for nearly five years while in university. She noted that she always hoped to see students experience what she did, and being a chaperone allowed her to do so. “Seeing the students’ faces light up with wide-eyed wonder at the new sights, and observing all their experiences (both the good and the bad) are memories that will always linger in my heart. Having been able to witness some of the CNMI’s brightest youths learn and grow so much in just two weeks was such an honor.”
The Close-Up Program plans on sending new students next year to represent our islands in Washington, D.C. as well as hosting an island-wide conference for those that are interested on this opportunity.
Zenn Tomokane expressed some advice to those that go on the trip next year. “To future Close-Up Program students, be yourself no matter what others may have to say about you. And make sure to have fun!”
Tammy Fernandez commented, “I would really encourage upcoming students to join the program because you get so many different opportunities to see things that you wouldn’t really get the chance to see coming from the islands. What I would advise them is to have each other’s backs when you are there you don’t really know who you can and can’t trust so always be careful. But make friends get out of your little bubble and get to know people from different places you never really know how great a person is till you get to know them.”
The students and chaperones are grateful to have been given this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and to be able to learn more about our nation’s government and history. We thank the Close-Up Program for leading us on all of these tours, PSS for making this trip possible, and all the chaperones and staff that helped us throughout our voyage. We also thank Congressman Kilili Sablan for welcoming our group into his office and answering our questions. We look forward to the next group of students next year.
CNMI Close-Up students visit the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
CNMI Close-Up students at the U.N. headquarters in New York City.
Students from Palau, Guam, and the CNMI pose with their Close-Up instructors.
