(GCEA) — The Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers on Monday announced the winners of its Marianas Village Pride or MVP Christmas decorating contest. Nineteen schools, residents, businesses, and villages competed in four categories during the holiday season to win prizes geared toward reinvestment in their homes, buildings, and schools.
GCEA congratulates the winners of the following categories:
• Most Festive School – Kagman Elementary School, Saipan
Prize: Sports equipment valued at $1,000
• Most Festive Home – Laila Macaranas, Tinian
Prize: Hardware store credit valued at $1,000
• Most Festive Business – Savory Bistro Café, Saipan
Prize: Paint store credit valued at $1,000
• Most Festive Village – Tinian Mayor’s Office, Tinian
Prize: Village basketball court improvements valued at $1,000
“We thank our community for participating in the first MVP Christmas decorating contest,” said Jerry Tan, co-chairman of the GCEA. “Each entrant committed to cleaning up in and around their homes, schools, and buildings while providing our community enjoyable and festive displays during the holidays. This is a wonderful example of how every resident, school, and business can improve the quality of life at the village level. Together, We Can!”
Photos of the winning entries can be viewed on GCEA’s Facebook page (@cnmigov.economy). Prizes will be awarded on March 31 during an MVP ceremony.
GCEA extends a Si Yu’us Ma’åse’ and Ghilisow to all participants who entered the contest.
Bus stop decorating contest
GCEA invites schools, families, groups, and businesses to sign up to beautify, design, and paint bus stops throughout Rota, Tinian, and Saipan while competing for prizes. Entrants are encouraged to highlight the colors and icons that best represent the village or school’s colors, mascots, recognizable landmarks, and unique features.
“We are taking Marianas pride to a creative level with the launch of GCEA’s MVP Bus Stop Beautification contest,” Tan said. “We welcome groups throughout the Marianas to sign up to adopt a bus stop in their villages. This is the perfect time to showcase the unique beauty of each village or school, plus it will make the bus stops cleaner, safer, and more enjoyable for our children.”
GCEA aims to beautify more than 20 bus stops in Saipan, four in Rota, and three in Tinian by the end of the contest period. Registration is open at cnmieconomy.com. High schools that adopt a bus stop will earn points toward cash prizes at the end of the contest period. Students will also earn service hours for their participation.
Adopt-A-Median program
GCEA also welcomes groups throughout the Marianas to sign up to adopt medians in their villages. Interested groups can register online at cnmieconomy.com.
The Adopt-A-Median program is an integral part of the GCEA’s MVP campaign and an ongoing program under the Public Private Partnership Program. GCEA is actively accepting registration for projects in Rota, Tinian, and Saipan. Schools, groups, families, and businesses can adopt, clean, and paint medians, sidewalks, or crosswalks in their villages. GCEA provides the paint and supplies for each activity, and the Department of Public Works supports by providing the cones and signs that help to keep volunteers safe. For the safety of the students, GCEA recommend that school groups adopt sidewalks and crosswalks around their schools.
About the council
The Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers’ mission is to provide objective advice to CNMI Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios to ensure that future economic decisions and programs are aligned to improve the quality of life throughout The Marianas. GCEA’s Public Private Partnership initiative has drawn widespread support throughout the community. Volunteers and partners are welcome. For more information, visit cnmieconomy.com or engage with the GCEA on Facebook and Instagram (@cnmigov.economy) or by email at gceacnmi@gmail.com
Kagman Elementary School, Saipan
Laila Macaranas, Tinian
Savory Bistro Café, Saipan
Tinian Mayor’s Office
Tinian Mayor’s Office