Hopwood inducts new National Junior Honor Society members

(HMS) — Hopwood Middle School inducted 33 new members of the prestigious National Junior Honor Society on Thursday, March 2 at Kevin’s Restaurant, Aqua Resort Club.

The National Junior Honor Society is an international student organization that consists of chapters in middle schools.

NJHS elevates a school’s commitment to the values of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. It is estimated that more than one million students participate in NJHS activities worldwide.

NJHS chapters are found in all 50 states, U.S. territories, and around the world.

The induction’s inspirational guest speaker was an active member of the honor society when he was a student.

Jonathan Aguon has a passion for education and strives to works towards innovation and continuous improvement. He helped found Da’ok Academy and is the youngest Public School System  administrator in the CNMI. He currently serves as the principal of Marianas High School.

Aguon gave his inspirational advice to the students by comparing them to a pencil. He said like a pencil, students must sharpen their skills to become better individuals and correct any mistakes they might make.

He said like the core of a pencil, the most important part of every student is always what is inside and on every surface they are used on, they must leave their mark.

According to NJHS Hopwood Middle School chapter advisor Esco Anne Ulloa, “The greatest challenge we are facing for the past two school years is planning for club activities with the many Covid requirements. Another obstacle is trying to bring students from two different sessions (Hopwood is still having a.m./p.m. sessions due to lack of classrooms from Super Typhoon Yutu destruction) to complete and participate in our service projects.

Zack Camacho, Hopwood Middle School NJHS treasurer, shared the same sentiments. “Communication is a struggle. It’s hard to communicate with the other members and administrators due to our school having double sessions. Being a part of NJHS taught me that even though I’ve had struggles, there was always a way to deal with them.  I have learned a variety of life skills and was taught the importance of being a good leader. I’ve also learned that being a leader comes with many responsibilities. I learned that there’s always ways to work through or around obstacles, and that can be applied to other things.”

Hopwood Middle School principal Victorino Borja gave the welcoming remarks while vice principals Karen Manuel and Ben Seman led the inductees to their pledge membership and gave the closing remarks.

Education Commissioner Dr. Alfred Ada, NJHS Faculty Council members and advisors, HMS teachers, staff, and parents also graced the induction  ceremony.

NJHS current members and 2022 inductees

Officers

President – James Mercader

Vice President – Mark Ryan Costales

Secretary – Kianna Rae Palacios 

Treasurer – Zack I. Camacho

Historian – Frances Louise D. Hernandez

PRO – Damien Alfred S. Santos

Current members

Hayden Romeo Igisomar

Kaye Anne Costales

Sarah Islam

Alexa Ralene Panganiban

Rafael N. Pascual

John Peter N. Quidato

Princess Nicole B. Rigua

Simon Roy P. Romero

Jheams Cyrhon A. Sagana

2021-2022 Inductees

8th Grade

Terresa Lin Ahn

Rondelle Nino Apostol

Aron G. Ares

Alinda Rose R. Attao

Maria Corazon A. Batallones

Clyve Jairus De Guzman

Jan Andrei D. Dumagan

Zhendrix G. Jandoc

Enoch Bern T. Pamintuan

Hope Bonniemae T. Sagana

Yvess M. Tamayo

Miragrace Rose C. Tupas

Laura Wang

7th Grade

Rhian Courtney G. Alfonso

Daniella Faith D. Batinggal

Nowrin A. Bhuiyan

Miss Suraiya A. Dristy

Jose Jesus R. Iguel

Ha’ane Bernace A. Manibusan

Daniel Josh B. Pelayo

Tristan Joshua Que

Alyana Marie Rotap

Alex Yang Xiong

6th Grade

Charlotte Amano

Evan Mclaren Carlo Cabrera

Sandra T. Chargualaf

Walter Josh N. Clave

Raven Pascual

Maria Susana N. Quidato

Alexis Danielle M. Salundaguit

Carlin Mei L. Santos

Ricky Tang

Marilet Faye M. Tuazon