I am totally perplexed with the notion that she is the class valedictorian but she failed to meet the required grade point average to be eligible for an honors scholarship.
How did this happen? How can Rota High School say, this is our class valedictorian for this graduating class but we are sorry she did not meet the required GPA for an honors scholarship?
There is a problem here. The system in place at Rota High School is obviously not effective and not geared towards the benefit of its student body.
The Board of Education should look into this problem because it is sending a very bad message to the children of Rota and clearly the message here is “no matter how hard you study it does not really matter because you can be cheated out of something very important such as an honors scholarship.”
The community of Rota should be outright mad about this issue because although Ms. Alpino is not of Chamorro or Carolinian lineage, she is still a person and part of our Rota community.
It makes me wonder whether this issue would have resulted in favor of Ms. Alpino if she was Chamorro. I say this because I know my Chamorro family, friends and neighbors on Rota will raise hell if this ever happen to their daughters or sons.
This issue has not only forced me to re-evaluate what it means to be a parent on Rota but also most importantly what it means to be a “gilita” and for me, being a gilita means fighting for what is not right and never backing down no matter how big the obstacle is, caring for your fellow man/woman, but most importantly it means treating your fellow man/woman with respect and dignity.
To Ms. Alpino, put this issue behind you and strive to reach your goal and don’t ever look back, “REACH FOR THE STARS”. To Art and his wife, turn this obstacle into something positive for your daughter because the hardship you face today will be your fortune tomorrow.
ALBERT TAITANO
Songsong, Rota
