HOPWOOD Middle School promoted 182 eighth graders to high school in a ceremony held May 19 on campus.
The class valedictorian and Board of Education awardee is Mark Ryan Ortizo Costales. His father, Samuel, and aunt, Irene, received the awards on his behalf from HMS Principal Victorino Borja, Vice Principals Karen Manuel and Ben Seman, Board of Education Chairman Gregory Pat Borja, Vice Chairman Antonio L. Borja, Secretary/Treasurer Maisie B. Tenorio and student representative to the BOE Jed Sta. Theresa.
Costales was in the states to attend his sister’s graduation.
The Commissioner of Education awardee and class salutatorian is Hayden Romeo Igisomar who received his award from Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada and Associate Commissioner Eric Magofna.
The Principal’s Leadership Award recipient is Zack Itibus who received his award from HMS Principal Victorino Borja and Vice Principals Karen Manuel and Ben Seman.
Several students were also recognized for excellence in various subjects.
Social studies: Mark Ryan Ortizo Costales and Jun Hirase Zhang.
Science: Mark Ryan Ortizo Costales and Laura Hui Bin Wang.
Mathematics: Clyve Jairus Elchico De Guzman and Alfred Ruita Borja Sabanal.
English Language Arts: Mark Ryan Ortizo Costales and Chester Lopena Torres.
Chamorro Carolinian Language and Heritage Studies: Maxine Angela Amado Candare and Alfred Ritz Borja Sabanal.
Physical Education: Maria Corazon Ayson Battalones and Laura Hui Bin Wang.
Middle School Leadership Corps: Hyden Romeo Igisomar and James Gavriel Matias Mercader.
Career Technical Education- Agriculture: Teressa Lin Ahn and Laura Sibong Cabrera Mareham.
Career Technical Education-Computer Literacy: Teressa Lin Ahn and Alfred Ritz Borja Sabanal.
Hard worker
Valedictorian Mark Ryan Ortizo Costales, in a pre-recorded video address, said he worked hard to excel in school.
“I sacrificed for it and I stressed over it. Juggling clubs, sports, and school was no easy job and the stress was starting to build up. My mental health wasn’t looking good and I wanted to give up. I learned a lot more from my mistakes than from success. When I got the call that I was selected to receive this award my heart started to race, and my body was filled with excitement. It felt so good to hear my name announced for that award,” he said.
He added, “With sacrifice and hard work you all can achieve great things. Nothing is impossible. I’d like to give a big thank you to my family who have always been my number one supporter: my brother, who taught me almost everything I know; my older sister, for always believing in what I could do; my younger sister, who is always there for me; and finally, my parents, who raised me to become the person I am today. I thank you. I owe my success to all of you.”
Classroom displacement
Class salutatorian Hayden Romeo Igisomar said despite the “hardship of the past three years” they were able to endure.
“We have endured classroom displacement because of typhoons and were forced to attend classes in tents. We have gone through learning through social distancing and online classes because of the pandemic known as Covid. However, here we are today. Standing tall and proud and ready to take on the next step, high school,” Igisomar said.
He honored his parents and his Hopwood teachers for his achievements.
“I would like to give my thanks to the people who made it possible for me to be here today,” he said. “First, my mom who has always been there for me, supporting my decisions, and guiding me on those said decisions; and my dad for always keeping me on track. Thank you mom, thank you dad! I would like to thank my friends and the rest of my family for helping mold me into the person I am today. Thank you. And last but not least, my amazing teachers, people like senora and senot as they pushed me to compete in the Chamorro story-telling competition; Mrs. Didi who nominated me to compete in the Sengebau poetry competition and the Leadership Corps promotion test; Mrs. Nishida who along with Mrs. Esco and Mrs. H-D helped me join and do things with the National Junior Honor Society; and Mrs. Lin and Mama Shar who made me join the Youth Advisory Panel — thank you for always pushing me to achieve my best.”
Samuel Costales, center, and Irene Costales, father and aunt, respectively, of Hopwood Middle School valedictorian and Board of Education Award recipient, Mark Ryan Ortizo Costales, receive the awards from BOE Chairman Gregory Pat Borja, BOE Vice Chairman Antonio L. Borja, Secretary/Treasurer Maisie B. Tenorio, and student representative Jed Sta. Theresa. Also in photo are Hopwood Principal Victorino Borja and Vice Principals Karen Manuel and Ben Seman.
Commissioner of Education Award recipient and class salutatorian Hayden Romeo Igisomar poses for a photo with his parents, Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada, Associate Commissioner Eric Magofna and Hopwood administrators.
The recipient of the Principal’s Leadership Award is Zack Itibus. With him in the photo his parents, Hopwood Principal Victorino Borja and Vice Principals Karen Manuel and Ben Seman.
Hopwood Principal Victorino Borja delivers his remarks.
Board of Education Chairman Gregory Pat Borja congratulates the newly promoted students and their parents.
Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada commends promoted class of Hopwood Middle School.
