(PSS) — Francisco M. Sablan Middle School promoted 88 eighth graders to high school at a packed Koblerville gym on Wednesday, May 29.
The students chose a quote from a famous YouTuber, Technoblade, for their promotion theme: “One day, we’ll look back at where we started and be amazed at how far we’ve come.”
Rexy Eirah Doronila is the class valedictorian and recipient of the 18th CNMI Board of Education Academic Excellence Award. Acting BOE Chair Maisie B. Tenorio was joined by BOE members Andrew L. Orsini and Antonio L. Borja in presenting the award.
Christian Joseph R. Tenorio, as the class salutatorian, received the Commissioner of Education Academic Excellence Award from Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho and other Public School System officials.
The Excellence in Leadership Award was presented to Alexander Javier by Principal Cherlyn Osung and Vice Principal Catherine Cabrera.
Subject awards
Twelve subject awards were announced during the promotion ceremony.
The Academic Excellence in Computer Literacy II Award went to Francis Bien Cabanatan Danipog and Christian Joseph R. Tenorio.
The Academic Excellence for Carolinian Language and Heritage Studies Award was awarded to Mary Lach M. Pascua.
Caitlin Solidum Burgos was presented with the Academic Excellence in Chamorro Language and Heritage Studies Award.
The Academic Excellence in Social Studies Award was presented to Rexy Eirah Doronila.
For the Academic Excellence in Physical Education Award, the recipients were Paul Demetrius Barroga Calunsag, Changhwan Ryu and Kapua Masga Hocog.
Christian Joseph R. Tenorio was the Academic Excellence in Mathematics awardee while Precious Aicee Castro received the Academic Excellence in Fine Arts Award.
The Academic Excellence in PLTW/STEM was awarded to Francis Bien Cabanatan Danipog, Alexander Tobi Javier, and Delzen Aurea Vergara.
The Academic Excellence in Science Award was presented to Precious Kenzie Lontic and Jerz Luv Sean Calisura Navarro.
The Academic Excellence in Language Arts Award went to Fatima C. Muna and Rexy Doronila.
The Academic Excellence in Music awardees were Frank Raphael M. Lumanlan, Paul Demeterius Barroga Calunsag, Sheila Feng, Changhwan Ryu, Dann Aldrin Santiago Ciano, Mary Pascua, Rexy Eira Doronialla, Julinad Anua, Sierra Elise C. Manahane, and Lionel Edison B. Arceo.
The Distinguished Middle School Leadership Corps Award for Leadership Excellence was presented to Christian Joseph R. Tenorio for his “commendable conduct in the performance of outstanding service of commander of cadets.”
The Napu Spirit Award was given to Gabriel Asaiah Suda for exemplifying school spirit and citizenship.
Encouragement
Class valedictorian Doronila, in his address, said it was his mother’s encouragement that inspired him.
“If I could speak to sixth grade me, I would tell myself how far we’ve come along and how much we’ve improved over the years. I was failing in sixth grade until my mother pushed me to do my best. I’m pretty sure without the encouragement from my mom, I wouldn’t be standing here, giving this speech. Receiving this award and title shows just how far I’ve come along. I will never forget how much fun I’ve had throughout my time in middle school,” he said.
He added, “The times when I would study for an exam…, rushing to finish essays and projects as fast as possible. I have not only made new friends, but I have found myself along the way. As a Chinese proverb once said, ‘Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.’ You may be given multiple opportunities, but it is up to you to use those opportunities.”
He thanked several individuals who were part of his middle school journey. “I would like to thank some remarkable people first. I would like to thank all the teachers and staff for pushing me to do my best…. I would like to thank Ms. Mettao, Ms. Marylyn, and Ms. Bev personally, for always being able to help me with other subjects and always encouraging me to not give up. Thank you to all my friends for being supportive.”
Motivation
Tenorio, the class salutatorian, said he was “an average, actually below average student. I was failing multiple classes and was not motivated to keep up with school. That was until a certain mathematician decided to step in and motivate me to make better decisions. This person was Ms. Marylyn Tabuena, one of our emcees for today. Throughout seventh and eighth grades she had been like an older sister and mentor for me, serving as motivation to always try my best. The next few people I will mention are those that encourage me to be better. These people are Francis Danipog, Dann Ciano, Alexander Javier, Michael Elayda, and Jommy Tubale in no particular order whatsoever. The next person is our valedictorian and someone who motivated me to compete with them in terms of academics. I would like to be one of the first people to say congratulations to Rexy Doronila. The next person I will be mentioning is my seventh grade homeroom teacher, Mrs. Beverly Surla, who has helped me through a lot and has always been a good person to talk to. I would also like to thank my siblings and my parents for always thinking that I could do better. Another person I would like to mention hasn’t been here for long but has quickly become one of my favorite teachers because of his witty personality and good morals. I would like to thank Lance Corporal Karl Bier for helping our drill team when we were at our lowest. The last person I will mention may not be the tallest teacher, but their impact on my person is undeniable. Mrs. Mettao is a coach, coordinator, and teacher all at once.”
Problem solver
Commissioner of Education Dr. Camacho paid tribute to the promoted students, saying they are the reason why he and the Board of Education serve the Commonwealth’s public schools.
“I want to thank you, our bigger bosses — the students, all the promotees — who are moving on to high school,” he added. “For me, as I reflect on your journey, you have come to this point where you can see and visualize the future. And that future is our land — the island of Saipan or wherever you may end up when you finish your studies with us at PSS,” he said.
“Someone once said that the two best days in a person’s life are 1) when they were born, and 2) when you realize and know why you were born. You have a meaning in your life — you own meaning in your life and find that. Your generation, as we define success, no longer means the possession or accumulation of possessions, goods and wealth. You said success to you means a purpose in life. It means getting through high school and getting to establish yourself and achieve goals and purpose in life. And I hope that purpose in life is to help solve the problems here in the CNMI.”
Acting BOE Chair Maisie Tenorio said: “I have had the incredible privilege of getting to know many of you these past few months, so I know these last few years have not been easy. Despite your challenges, you showed up for your family, your classmates but, most importantly, for yourself. If you take any skill with you, take one foot… in front of the other.”
She added, “The next four years will also have its set of challenges, but you are not alone. You have an entire community of loved ones and educators who will walk alongside you — one step at a time. With their support and your courage, you will continue to reach amazing destinations.”
The Board of Education Academic Excellence Award was presented to class valedictorian Rexy Eirah Doronila by Acting BOE Chair Maisie B. Tenorio, who was joined by BOE members Andrew L. Orsini and Antonio L. Borja in presenting the award.
Christian Joseph R. Tenorio is the class salutatorian and the recipient of the Commissioner of Education Academic Excellence Award, which was presented by Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho and other Public School System officials.
The Excellence in Leadership Award was presented to Alexander Javier for his leadership by Principal Cherlyn Osung and Vice Principal Catherine Cabrera.
The recipients of the various subject awards pose for a photo.
