Micronesian Youth Service president Sarah Thomas-Nededog and committee chairwoman, Jeanette Quintanilla awarded the officers of CNMI Little League program “for exemplary and continued service to the youth and communities in Micronesia.”
The award was shared by CNMI Little League presidents, Juan Ayuyu of Rota, Ignacio Aquiningoc of Tinian and Mike Borja of Saipan to Francisco “Tanko” Palacios who took a very important role in developing the youth program.
Borja said it is the first time that Saipan, Rota and Tinian Little Leagues were given such award.
He noted that of the 200 youth organizations in Micronesia, CNMI is very fortunate that to be awarded the 2009 youth service supporter of the year.
He attributed the award to the three islands’ efforts of continuously expanding the youth program that started in 1972.
Because of the magnitude which Saipan, Rota and Tinian Little Leagues have already reached now, the three organizations deserve the award.
“We will keep it up. We have been developing this organization with the help of Rota and Tinian,” he said.
Borja recalled how the Little League program in the CNMI was developed in 1972 with the help of “Tanko” Palacios.
Ever since, he said the Little League program on Saipan became an annual event until it begun expanding to the islands of Tinian and Rota. The program, he said caters to youth nine to 18 years old.
“We are such small islands but we managed to participate in World Series,” Borja said.
The Little League program, Borja added helps teach children the values of good character, loyalty and courage.
