Deleon Guerrero family of readers.
Nicole Somol, 1st place winner, “I Love My JKPL” writing contest.
Teen and adult donut painting activity.
(JKPL) — From June 28, 2023 to July 28, 2023, more than 30 teens registered for an in-person Reading and Summer Learning Adventure with the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library’s Teen Summer Reading Program on Saipan.
The Teen/Adult Summer Reading Program at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library was a huge success this year, teens participated in a wide variety of reading and enrichment activities.
The Teen/Adult Summer Reading Program, which ran for five weeks, offered teens the opportunity to read for prizes, participate in book discussions, reading challenges, writing contests and attend special events. Teens also had the chance to earn community service hours by volunteering at the library or participating in other community service projects.
“We are thrilled with the success of this year’s Teen/Adult Summer Reading Program,” said Library Outreach Assistant and JKPL’s Teen Services Advisor/Instructor Shianalyn Lizama. “The program was a great way for teens and adults to stay engaged with reading during the summer months, and we are grateful to everyone who participated.”
In addition to the regular program activities, the Teen/Adult Summer Reading Program also offered a number of special events, including:
• Art and reading activities, such as painting, drawing, brainstorming, and a writing competition.
• Hands-on activities and recreation programs, such as book scavenger hunts and learning more about the library.
• Technology classes, such as recording, programming, and editing.
• Teen Advisory Board discussions, recommendations and suggestions.
• Art and planting, participants were given a chance to creatively design their flower pot based on their liking and also learned some tips and tricks on how to properly plant local crops.
• Reading Challenges and Top Reader Awards for the most books read for teens, adults and families. The top prizes for Most Books Read were awarded to the following individuals: Teens Cindy Ma (Teens) and Kyoko Deleon Guerrero (Adults). The Top prize for the Family of Readers Award went to the Deleon Guerrero family having read 113 books collectively: Kyoko Deleon Guerrero, Kevin Guerrero, Maria Guerrero and Sera Guerrero. The winners received an assortment of library swag, gifts certificates and books on their achievements.
• The “I Love My Joeten-Kiyu Public Library” writing contest. Special shoutout to 1st Place winner Nicole Somol, 2nd Place Kyoko Deleon Guerrero, and 3rd Place Kevin Guerrero. The Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library sponsored Joeten gift certificates and movie passes for this year’s winners.
• Participants that completed the Summer Program received lots of prizes from our Library and sponsors!
Library Director Erlinda C. Naputi shared,
“The Teen/Adult Summer Program was a great success, and we are grateful to all of the participants, our hardworking library team, and volunteers who made it all possible. We would like to thank the following sponsors for making our summer reading program an astounding success:
“(Platinum Sponsors) Joeten family, Joeten Enterprises, Inc. , All Star Sporting Goods, Athlete’s Foot of Saipan, Kiyu family, Ramona V. Manglona, MS Villagomez, Marianas Acquisition, dba IP&E, Oriental Corporation, Hong Ye Trading Co., Friends of the JKPL, Chong’s Corporation, Leslie Bradley, McRel International, Northern Marianas Library Association, Marianas Global Ventures dba Priority Care Services, Pacific Islands Club Saipan, Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Bridge Capital LLC. and Group of Companies (Anaks Holding, Seven Leaves, FT Condo, MP Investments, Coconut Capital, Westview Property, Proa, Latte Investments, Achugao Services, Excelsior Marianas, Mariana Holdings, Fox Financial)
“(Gold Sponsors) Joeten Development, Inc., Joeten Superstore, Coca Cola Beverage Co., Lollipops, Pacific Trading Company, Elizabeth D. Rechebei, Joe’s Store, Speaker of the House Edmund Villagomez, SNILD Chairman Rep. John Paul Sablan, Rep. Manny Gregory Castro, Rep. Vincent Aldan, Rep. Diego Vincent Camacho, Insurance and Business Management Corp., Roselle Calvo DBA: Pacific Advisory Services, Alexandra Ana-Marie Demapan Birnbrich
“(Silver Sponsors) Gold’s Gym, Rep. Denita Yangetmai, Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero, Senator Paul Manglona, Avalyn Mae Naputi Lizama
“(Bronze Sponsor) J’s Restaurant/J.E.T. Holding Co. INC., National Office Supply, Rep. Blas Jonathan “BJ” Attao, Rep. Julie Marie Ogo, Rep. Ralph Yumul, Senator Dennis Mendiola, Rep. Vicente Camacho, Herman’s Modern Bakery, Gio Joe Naputi Bell, John Hirsh, Esther Ada, Emily Van Weerdhuizen, Marcia Schultz, Maggie Naputi, Annie T. Pickelsimer
“Community Partners: AmeriCorps Program, Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality-Division of Coastal Resource Management, Commonwealth Library Council, CHCC’s Let’s Move Marianas Non-Communicable Disease Program, CNMI Department of Corrections, CNMI Public School System, CNMI Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, CNMI Department of Public Safety, CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources-Division of Parks and Recreation, CNMI DLNR-Division of Agriculture, Motheread/Fatheread CNMI, Commonwealth Library Council, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, DCCA-Division of Youth Services, DCCA-Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture-Seafaring Traditions Program, Dr. Ron Snyder, Saipan International School, Lt. Col. Gregorio M. Sablan Jr., M2 Fitness and zin Mary Gracy Bautista, Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, Office of the Mayor of Tinian and Aguiguan, Rota Mayor’s Office, Marianas High School JROTC Dolphin Battalion, Marianas Visitors Authority, Northern Marianas Athletics, Pacific Islands Club-Saipan, Run Saipan, Run Saipan President Edward Dela Cruz, Saipan Mayor’s Office, Saipan Humane Society, United States Department of Agriculture-Rural Development, Young Adult Library Services Association and the Office of the Governor.”
JKPL looks forward to offering another great program next summer!
Some of JKPL’s Teen Summer Reading Program participants pose for a photo.
