Lesly D. Ibarra, Adrian Jay A. Manalang, Mariel N. Hembra, Jennifer Sagum, and Daisy Panhilason.
ON April 4 and 5, five scholars from Saipan proudly represented the Northern Mariana Islands at APIA Scholars’ CareerFest 2.0 in Los Angeles, California. The two-day event focused on providing workshops, networking opportunities, and resources to aid Scholars in their professional careers.
The event was made possible through all-expense paid support for current and past recipients of various prestigious and highly competitive scholarships offered through APIA Scholars, a non-profit organization that partners with multiple sponsors to support outstanding Asian and Pacific Islander American and all students with a focus on those who are in need to offer scholarships and college-to-career programs.
Representing Saipan were Jennifer Sagum, Adrian Jay A. Manalang, Daisy Panhilason, Mariel N. Hembra, and Lesly D. Ibarra. Each Scholar not only brought their unique academic journeys to the forefront, but also shared a deep connection to their island roots.
“It was truly an honor to be a part of APIA Scholars’ 2025 CareerFest. Engaging with professionals and Scholars from outside my islands made my experience meaningful. I gained valuable insights, learned from inspiring individuals, and expanded my perspective in ways I never imagined. This opportunity helped me grow both personally and professionally, and I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity given,” said Mariel N. Hembra, a first-year business student at Northern Marianas College and a recipient of the 2024 APIA/Coca-Cola Foundation First Generation AANAPISI Scholarship.
Daisy Panhilason, a nursing student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and recipient of the 2021 APIA/McDonald’s Scholarship, shared, “This event was a wonderful opportunity to network and build lifelong friendships — not only with Scholars from across the U.S., but also with others from different parts of Micronesia. Thanks to APIA Scholars, I was also able to deeply connect with my roots as an Asian American born and raised in the Pacific, relate to the unique challenges the APIA community faces in academia, and use these experiences as the foundation for my future advocacy work.”
For Lesly D. Ibarra, a senior computer science student at Cal Poly Pomona and recipient of the 2020 APIA/McDonald’s Scholarship, the event left a lasting impression: “Attending this event was an absolute honor and the APIA Scholars team did an amazing job organizing such an event! Though it was only for two short days, it will remain one of my most memorable experiences. I’m very grateful for every single person that I met during this event.”
Adrian Jay A. Manalang, a University of Guam student and 2024 APIA/Morgan Stanley Scholar, highlighted the impact of being surrounded by driven peers: “Attending this year’s APIA CareerFest was truly eye-opening. Being surrounded by accomplished Scholars and professionals gave me the chance to not only learn from their journeys but also connect over shared experiences. I’m grateful for the relationships I’ve built and excited to leverage this network as I continue growing professionally and giving back to our APIA community.”
Lastly, Jennifer Sagum, a Northern Marianas College student and 2023 APIA/Morgan Stanley Scholar, expressed her gratitude: “I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to attend this year’s APIA Scholars’ Careerfest, it was an inspiring experience that connected me with amazingly unique individuals and strengthened my networking skills, which will be beneficial towards my future ambitions.”
These five Scholars not only showcased the talent and determination nurtured in the Northern Marianas but also returned with new insights, professional growth, and strengthened cultural pride. Their participation serves as an inspiration to students across the Marianas who dream of making an impact beyond the islands.
About APIA Scholars
Based in Washington, D.C. and founded in 2003, APIA Scholars is the nation’s leading non-profit organization devoted to the academic, personal, and professional success of our Scholars, with a focus on those who are most in need. Through Scholarships, Student Success Programs, Research and Applied Partnerships, APIA Scholars carries out its mission to educate, elevate, and empower our Scholars and the next generation of students. For more information about APIA Scholars, please visit www.apiascholars.org/.
