After moving to Saipan four years ago from her native Philippines, Chata enrolled at NMC to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse.
“My parents’ inspired me to pursue nursing. My mom always dreamed of becoming a nurse, and then my dad died of a heart-related problem,” said Chata. “This really convinced me to pursue nursing because I wanted to be able to help others, and make my parents proud.”
Chata began preparing for the NCLEX-RN shortly before graduating from NMC in May 2010 and continued until the day of examination in November. During the summer, she also attended an NCLEX-RN review course that was coordinated by the CNMI Area Health Education Center in collaboration with the Community Development Institute.
“Maryliza not only passed the examination on the first try, but in record time as well,” said NMC Nursing department chairwoman Rosa Tudela. “The NCLEX-RN is very challenging and critical to pass that’s why we are amazed and proud that she finished in less than two hours.”
The NCLEX-RN tests an individual’s nursing knowledge, skills, and abilities essential to the safe and effective practice of nursing at the entry level. The exam is used by nursing boards in all 50 United States and all U.S. territories to award nurse licenses. Licensed nurses may have their credentials endorsed by a state or a territory’s board upon meeting board requirements without having to retake the exam.
While Chata pursued her nursing degree at NMC, she was also actively involved the Nursing Club and served as the organization’s public relations officer. As a member of the club, Chata participated in various community service activities, such as the CNMI Head Start Lead Screening in 2009, Walk-On-Wednesday events, and the NMC Health Awareness Fair.
“My most memorable experience as an NMC nursing student was when a patient I used to care for recognized me at a public event,” said Chata. “It made me really happy when he told me how much he appreciated the care I gave him; I really didn’t expect that.”
According to the long-time NMC nursing instructor Hervin Jacinto, currently 75 percent of the 2010 nursing graduates have passed the NCLEX-RN on their first attempt.
“We are very happy that many of NMC’s nursing graduates are passing the NCLEX-RN,” said NMC interim President Lorraine T. Cabrera. “We also wish Maryliza the best in her endeavors toward a successful nursing career.”
NMC honor society inducts 19 new members
(NMC) — The Northern Marianas College Beta Lambda Psi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society celebrated the induction of nineteen new members into the Society on Saturday, Nov. 6. Family, friends, NMC interim President Lorraine T. Cabrera, faculty, and PTK members joined in the festivities at Saipan Grand Hotel’s Club V to honor the new inductees.
In order to qualify for membership in Phi Theta Kappa, students must distinguish themselves by maintaining a 3.5 cumulative grade point average, in addition to serving and contributing to our Commonwealth through various community service and leadership activities.
The seventeen newest Fall members include students from the business, criminal justice, education, nursing, natural resource management, and liberal arts majors: Nadia Benjamin, Claire Cabrera, Elowena Camacho, Ian Carr, Hilma Marie Castro, Kyeong Bin Kim, Myung Ah Ko, Soohee Kwak, Jeong Hyun Kwon, He Jin Lee, Xiu Zhen Lizama, Joserin Mendiola, Katherine Mersai, Jan Michael Reyes, Sharisse Rivera, Antonio Tiples, and Hee Yong (Sophia) Yoon. Also welcomed into the chapter were two new provisional members: Beatrice Mesngon and Arisha Nishimura.
The induction ceremony was carried out by the current PTK officers president Glenn Songcuan, vice president Mindy Park, recording secretary Janel Pangelinan, membership secretary Albert Indalecio, treasurer Shannon Hofschneider, and faculty advisor Larry Lee.
The members selected Justice John A. Manglona as the keynote speaker for the event, and he inspired the audience with a very motivating keynote address. The formal induction ceremony was followed by a delicious buffet dinner.
An international organization, Phi Theta Kappa has recognized academic excellence, leadership, and service in two-year colleges since 1918. It is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1.5 million members and 1,200 chapters located in the 50 United States, U.S. territories, Canada, and Germany. Phi Theta Kappa’s mission is two-fold: (1) to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students; and (2) to provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming.
United Methodist Church combines World Peace, Native Peoples’ Day, Thanksgiving celebrations
(Immanuel United Methodist Church) — The last two Sundays Immanuel United Methodist Church in Chalan Kanoa combined celebrations of Thanksgiving, Native American Sunday — and other countries’ native peoples — and World Peace Day. This continued world peace emphasis from their International Peace Day public invited observances in September – peace games on Sept. 12th and 19th. And the non-political, non-religious Candlelight Peace Vigil on United Nations proclaimed Peace Day, Sept. 21st.
Lay Leader Losana Rogoyawa said, “The past two Sunday’s scripture, sermons and prayers were based on thanksgiving and dependency on God. And how dependent we are on each other — in our families, schools, communities, the world. Special prayers were said for Native Americans and people in other countries who had lost land and dignity. Prayers from Sioux Chiefs Black Elk and John Yellow Lark were read.”
Pastor Millie Carroll centered “Time With the Kids” on America’s most known First Thanksgiving.
She said, “The Pilgrims were so thankful to God they’d survived their first freezing winter. And very grateful to the Native Americans who’d so helped them, especially with growing food in ways they’d not known. The Pilgrims also helped the Native Americans. As long as they helped each other, shared and depended on each others’ abilities most of life went well. When that ended then fighting began. We must always remember to appreciate each other’s abilities and differences and how we depend on each other as we are depending on God.” During the September International Peace Celebrations the kids had already answered that — when one side isn’t nice to the other, begins to fight, usually the other fights back and fighting goes on and on.
Carroll said, “A really fun part was connecting the scripture ‘God gives each of us talents’ with how Native American kids, we’re told, had new names added to theirs as their talents and great acts were seen. So, the IUMC kids chose names — helping each other with gifts they saw in each other. Some were: John Kang became Helpful Sparrow: Helen Carhill – Happy Flower; Mary Jane Domingo – Skipping Fawn; Annel Ligaya – Jumping Deer.
“Time With the Kids” ended with closing our eyes for a moment to think what we most wanted to thank God for, then drumming it as a thank you to God on the big drum Mary and Mark Deala had made. The kids knew Native Americans sent messages to each other by drum so with their new names they drummed their prayers of thanks to God.”
Immanuel United Methodist Church warmly invites readers to the all age Advent Services beginning this Sunday. Worship services and Sunday School are 9 a.m. IUMC in Chalan Kanoa is on Chalan Kanoa Drive (east of Town Center and Beach Road, near Mt. Carmel Cathedral). For further information, contact Millie Carroll at 322-6158.
Grace Christian Academy forensic November winners
(GCA) — Grace Christian Academy students won awards at the PGFC competition which was held at Chacha Ocean View Junior High School on Nov. 20, 2010. GCA administration, faculty and staff, and especially the parents congratulate all the winners for a job well done. Below is a complete list of all the winners.
K-2 Division
Dramatic Interpretation B
Juruel Magtalas- 2nd Place
Impromptu Speaking A
Clerisse Dacumos – 1st Place
Mayumi Tanaka – 3rd Place
Alex Christian Achas – 5th Place
Impromptu Speaking B
Joshua Pajarillaga- 1st Place
Amaris Birmingham- 4th Place
Luis Jerome Gaspar-5th Place
Readers Forum Masters A
Matthew Gabriel Ernest- 1st Place
Readers Forum A
Miku Kimura- 1st Place
Andrei Yue- 3rd Place
Readers Forum B
Anna Nunez- 5th Place
3-5 Division
Choral Speaking A
Joshua Abragan- 3rd Place
Justine Calayo-3rd Place
Marcelo Masilungan Jr.- 3rd Place
Seung Jae Kim- 3rd Place
Steven Ha- 3rd Place
Duo Interpretation B
SheriJean Dela Cruz- 4th Place
Jasmine Phan- 4th Place
Dramatic Interpretation A
Alfie Madlambayan- 5th Place
Dramatic Interpretation B
Yasmin Angela Marcelo- 1st Place
Humorous Interpretation A
Audrey Yue- 4th Place
Humorous Interpretation B
Alfie Madlambayan- 1st Place
Robert Hanrey Schorr- 3rd Place
Clark Birmingham- 4th Place
Readers Forum Masters C
SheriJean Dela Cruz- 1st Place
Yasmin Angela Marcelo- 2nd Place
Seung Jae Kim- 3rd Place
Readers Forum Masters D
Robert Hanrey Schorr- 3rd Place
Readers Forum A
Miku Matsumura- 1st Place
Jim Michael Ham- 3rd Place
Reader’s Forum D
Yuki Anna Dela Cruz- 1st Place
Esther Kim- 2nd Place
Impromptu Speaking A
Dianne Doris Arnold-2nd Place
Marcelo Masilungan Jr.- 4th Place
Impromptu Speaking B
Jim Michael Ham – 1st Place
Tae Yong Kim – 2nd Place
Matt Jason Moran – 3rd Place
Arvin Dayao – 5th Place
Teachers/Coaches
Miss Sheryl Edralin- K4
Mrs. Miriam Dilse- K-5
Mrs. Leah Garfil-1st Grade
Miss Judy Kim-2nd Grade
Mr. Josh Zwicker-3rd Grade
Mrs. Esther Manzano – 4th Grade
Miss Kelly Dawe- 5th Grade
GCA PGFC Coordinator- Mrs. Esther Manzano
Vice Principal/Guidance Counselor- Mrs. Beth Ann Nunez
Principal- Mrs. Marsha Owens
GCA PGFC Volunteers
Parent Judges- Mrs. Rofelina Madlambayan, Mr. Michael Ernest, Mr. Mark Birmingham
Student Judges- Jimaela Ham, Angela Faith Mamaril, Michael Jang, Adrian Yue, Katrina Punzalan
Green Meadow School students shine at forensic competition
(GMS) — School year 2010-2011 means at least a couple of memorable “first” for Green Meadow School: school’s first 6th Grade Class since it opened its doors to kindergarten pupils in 2002 and the first time the school competed in the National Junior Forensic League or NJFL which was held on Oct. 9 and Nov. 13 at Dandan Elementary School and Chacha Ocean View Junior High School. Competitors to NJFL must be 6th grade students and above. GMS fielded six students from its 6th grade class in its first venture into NJFL with the following outstanding result:
November 13, 2010 – Poetry Reading A (Master):
1st Place – Angela Reganit
1st Place – Ma. Theresa Dalusong
3rd Place – Danielle Coloma
5th Place – Piolo Gregorio
October 9, 2010 – Poetry Reading (Novice):
4th Place – Zamuel Alfred
5th Place – Angela Reganit
5th Place – Piolo Gregorio
Congratulations to GMS students performing excellently at the recent NJFL competition!
Library Friends meeting
THE Library Friends organization is calling a meeting for all members and interested parties on Saturday, Nov. 27, at 11 a.m. at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library.
Military training on FDM
(EMO) — The U.S. military will conduct training at Farallon De Mendenilla on Nov. 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Due to the danger imposed by this activity, acting Gov. Eloy S. Inos is advising the general public, especially fishermen, commercial pilots and marine tour operators, to stay away from this area during the time and dates indicated.
For more information, call the Emergency Management Office at 322-9528, 322-9529, VHF marine channel 16 or HF single sideband radio on 5.205.0.
Community raises $10K for Victims Assistance Fund
COMMUNITY efforts to assist victims of last year’s shooting incident in Saipan have raised $10,000, according to a media release from the organizers of the Victims Assistance Fund.
The largest portion of the fund — $6,000 — was raised by nearly 150 local participants and sponsors of a charity golf tournament held in June by the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands. The rest of the funding came from business donations.
According to the Marianas Visitors Authority, which partnered with HANMI on the fundraising effort, donations are being distributed this week to victims based on the severity of injuries.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to this effort to aid the victims,” said MVA Managing Director Perry Tenorio. “We are pleased to be able to extend our compassion, as a community, in this small way.”
Five residents died and eight other residents and tourists were injured by a single gunman in this quiet island community in November 2009.
Holiday donations for student safety
(Safety 1st Systems CNMI Inc.) — In preparation for Safety 1st Systems CNMI Inc.’s annual Holiday Sale, fire safety and student pedestrian safety donations were made to all CNMI Public School System elementary schools. Kagman Elementary School was the first school selected to receive the donations.
Fire extinguisher safety training sessions, by a certified fire technician, will train and certify CNMI Public School System’s teachers and safety committee personnel. Each PSS elementary school will also receive traffic safety cones, safety flags, safety vests, reflective belts and stop & slow paddles for student pedestrian crossings.
Safety 1st Systems CNMI Inc.’s Holiday Sale commences November 26th and ends December 24th. Everything in the SFS CNMI Gualo Rai store is priced 25 to 50 percent off for the entire sale period.
Receiving the initial donation of pedestrian safety equipment from SFS CNMI’s general manager Thom Coleman and SFS CNMI’s fire technician Jack Kabiriel were Kagman Elementary School principal Ignacia Demapan, school counselor and emergency coordinator Dan Basaldua, KagES teachers, staff and students.
