The student winners of the 2025 Digital Learning Day competition: Coden Sablan of Oleai Elementary School, Bernie Quitugua of William S. Reyes Elementary School, Anthony Deleon Guerrero of Hopwood Middle School, who is represented by his sister, and Rihanna Marie Geronimo of Saipan Southern High School. Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, standing center, and ITDE Director Dr. Lorraine Catienza, fourth left, are joined by other Public School System officials in honoring the winners on Monday afternoon.
After receiving their awards from Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho and ITDE Director Dr. Lorraine Catienza, the educators who won the 2025 Digital Learning Day Competition are celebrated by their peers and other Public School System officials.
(PSS) — The Public School System, through its Instructional Technology and Distance Education Program, recognized the 2025 Digital Learning Day winners on Monday afternoon.
The competition is held annually throughout the Commonwealth to highlight the role that technology and digital learning play in preparing students for college and the workforce.
The student winners and 10 educators from Rota, Tinian and Saipan were honored for leveraging the use of technology to ensure that students succeed in the classroom and after high school.
Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, the commissioner of education, said digital learning “one of the best investments of the Public School System.”
PSS began making investments in classroom technology in 2010, starting with the One Laptop Initiative.
This investment, according to ITDE Director Dr. Lorraine Catienza, made it possible for teachers and students to incorporate technology into instruction.
Student winners
The number of students participating in the annual Digital Learning Day competition is increasing every year. The competition was launched in 2012 to celebrate the increasingly critical role that technology plays in preparing “our students for college and career readiness and global citizenship for the 21st century,” Catienza said.
This year, 432 students from public and private schools participated.
The Digital Learning Day awardees are:
• Early Elementary Level (Kinder – 2nd Grade)
Competition Prompt: Draw a “Digital Superhero” character and explain how they use technology to help others.
Winner: Coden Sablan
1st Grade, Oleai Elementary School
• Elementary Level (3rd – 5th Grade)
Competition Prompt: Create a digital poster to showcase how you practice digital well-being.
Winner: Bernie Quitugua
4th Grade, William S. Reyes Elementary School
• Middle School Level (6th – 8th Grade)
Competition Prompt: Create a slide presentation that educates others on how to stay safe online. Highlight topics like protecting information and being kind online.
Winner: Anthony Deleon Guerrero
7th Grade, Hopwood Middle School
• High School Level (9th – 12th Grade)
Competition Prompt: Create a video/reel to showcase how technology has helped you to become college and career ready.
Winner: Rihanna Marie Geronimo
12th Grade, Saipan Southern High School
Educator awardees
The CNMI PSS Future-Ready Educator Award recognizes outstanding educators who demonstrate a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and student-centered learning in the digital age. Awardees exemplify excellence in learning by continuously improving their teaching practices through professional growth and technology integration while also embracing leadership to foster student empowerment and advance educational practices.
This year’s awardees are Nina Manglona of Francisco M. Sablan Middle School, Celestial Jewel Dela Cruz of Kagman Elementary School, Ryan Camacho of Kagman High School, Sherlyn Cruz of Oleai Elementary School, Sabrina Calvo of Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Jr.-Sr. High School, Shannon Barcinas of Sinapalo Elementary School, Acelia Camacho of Tanapag Middle School, Mariana Patio of Tinian Elementary School, Dr. Conrado Kiyoshi of Tinian Middle and High School, and Kimberly Babauta of William S. Reyes Elementary School.
‘Incredible ways’
Catienza acknowledged the outstanding work of all the students who took part in the competition as well as the educators’ understanding of the importance of the use of technology in the classroom.
“Their creativity, problem-solving skills, and enthusiasm for technology showcase the bright future of learning in CNMI,” she said. “In addition, I see firsthand the incredible ways our educators leverage technology to transform learning every day. Digital Learning Day is more than just a celebration — it’s a reminder of how technology empowers our students, fuels innovation, and prepares them for success in an ever-evolving world. At PSS, we believe that integrating technology into teaching and learning is not just an enhancement but a necessity for preparing students to succeed in a digital world. Our goal is to empower educators with the tools, training, and support they need to create meaningful, technology-driven learning experiences.”
Education Commissioner Camacho said the use of technology in classroom learning is “transformative.”
“Great things have happened and continue to happen because of technology,” he added.
