AS the May 4 deadline for the My Marianas Writing Contest approaches, the top two essayists from last year’s contest share what it was like being published and walking away the winners of the event.
“Competitions and awards are nice,” said first place essayist Aleaia Santos, “but the memories I’ve made and kept because of writing are the best part, to me.”
Lemusu To’omata, who was last year’s runner up essayist, said it was an honor to be published. “Not only did I make my family and friends proud, I also represented my school and made them proud as well.”
The My Marianas Writing Contest is an annual program of the Northern Marianas Humanities Council. This is its second year. It asks high school students in public and private schools to write a three- to five-page personal narrative essay based on a theme set by the council.
This year’s theme is “Senses of Home” and it “challenges writers to share their own reflections of home as experienced through one or more of their senses,” according the council’s website.
“Home” in this sense can mean what is contained inside the physical walls of a house, but the council challenges students to think deeply. They are asked to “unfold one or more sensory experiences or memories that describe or define your relationship to the Marianas as home.”
Naomi Tudela, project manager the council, encourages students from grades 9 to 12 to consider submitting their essays. The first place, second place, and third place submissions will win $500, $400, and $300 respectively. The top three essays will also be published in Marianas Variety and Saipan Tribune, and will be bound in a special commemorative booklet.
“Joining the My Marianas Writing Contest allows you to express yourself creatively, connect with others, and celebrate the rich heritage of the Mariana Islands,” Tudela said. “The contest offers the opportunity to win cash awards and become a published writer, making it an immensely valuable and rewarding experience.”
Last year, when To’omata and Santos managed to make it to the top three of over 60 submissions, the theme was “Food and Family.”
To’omata’s submission was titled “Picky Eater” and focused on her favorite weeknight meal to cook with her family.
“It was an easy thing to take part in this contest because my family and I always enjoy cooking meals together,” To’omata said. “Writing is enjoyable for me because — this might sound cheesy — but it helps me escape reality. I enjoy writing because it allows me to express observations about nature, feelings, knowledge and reflect on life experiences that I have encountered in my life.”
As for Santos, food and writing are her two favorite things. “I think [writing is] a great way to reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and opinions in and outside of the classroom.”
Santos’s essay was about growing up as a child on Tinian and eating the chicken kelaguin her grandmother often made for her. In her essay, she recounts how she would sing a song right before she would eat her favorite dish.
“I luckily had a fairly easy time coming up with what to write about last year because of the theme and how often ‘chicken kelaguen, I love youuu’ was sung to me by relatives,” she said.
To’omata said teens in this age of social media have a distinct advantage because “they have all these new apps that could easily help them.”
Santos said she was nervous prior to submitting, but added: “you can’t make shots if you don’t take them.”
She encourages students to enter this year’s contest.
“The theme excites me because the CNMI is home to so many people of different backgrounds. I look forward to reading how the love for our islands translates between different people and families,” she said.
For CNMI students interested in participating in the My Marianas Writing Contest, a full contest rubric and publishing consent form are available on the Humanities Council website at https://www.nmhcouncil.org/.
Last year’s commemorative booklet featuring the top three essays is also available to peruse in electronic form. Questions can be directed to Naomi Tudela at [email protected]/.
All essays must be submitted to [email protected] by 4 p.m. on May 4.
