THE 142 seniors of Saipan Southern High School’s Class of 2024 received their diplomas on Monday, June 3.
Education officials praised the graduating students for maintaining their school spirit as reflected in its motto, “Un Eskuela, Un Korason.”
The valedictorian, Ye Zhi Sablan, is also the recipient of the Board of Education Academic Excellence Award. She was unable to attend the ceremony.
The class salutatorian is Jing Lin, who received the Commissioner of Education Award from Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho and other Public School System officials: Special Education Program State Director Donna M. Flores, Senior Director Dr. Yvonne R. Pangelinan, Finance and Budget Director Arlene Lizama, Human Resources Officer Lucretia B. Deleon Guerrero, Head Start Director Lathani Angui and SSHS Principal and high school principal representative Vince Dela Cruz.
The rest of the top 10 graduating seniors are: (3) Shamira Sulyman, (4) Gracie Reign Ordonez Mendiola, (5) Jobelle Ann Gutirre Sapo, (6) Jasmine Kyle Materum Saluta, (7) Uirom Park, (8) Aleeza Jolia Taitingfong Castro, (9) Sky Gusteen Lizama Palacios, and (10) Fatima Rose Ito.
The Principal’s Leadership Award recipient was Yasmeen Zahara Torres Younis by Principal Dela Cruz and Vice Principal Arisa Sakai-Peters.
The Governor’s Leadership Award was presented to Mechaella De Ramos and the Lt. Governor’s Leadership Award went to Casey Cruz. Both awards were presented by acting Gov. David M. Apatang.
Shamira Sulyman was the recipient of the Mayor’s Service Award.
‘Not alone’
In her valedictory address, Sablan, praised the many individuals that have invested in her.
“I am aware that this address is not being delivered at the SSHS 2024 graduation ceremony, but I hope the letters of my words reach you just as much as a verbal delivery would. To my fellow graduates, I would like to congratulate you all on your successful completion of your high school education. Nothing in this life we achieve alone. I stand on the peak of the mountain made of the work and love of others who invested in me,” she said.
“I am in no position to tell any of you what to do with your lives, but maybe that’s exactly what I want you to hear. I hope the people you become are the ones that you’ve dreamed for yourselves, even against conflicting voices, and I hope you enjoy the journey. That your passion and faith exceed the limits of your mind, and you find yourself moving forever forward. Becoming valedictorian has been the least important part of my high school journey. It’s easy for me to say that accolades and titles don’t matter from the position I am in now, but I arrived here not because I wanted to become the valedictorian of my class. I am here because I wanted to make something greater than who I was. The trials and successes in between them have been the true meat of these last four years, not this end. It is not this moment that I will remember but the persistence which brought me here, and I hope you share that.”
‘Thank you’
Class salutatorian Lin, in her address, thanked “our incredible teacher and staff who have been with us throughout our four years in high school. Your dedication, patience, and passion for teaching have shaped us into the individuals we are today, standing before you. To [the National Honor Society], thank you for creating great opportunities, experiences, and my favorite memories in high school. To my fellow NHS officers, thank you guys for the hard work. To my [Advanced Placement] pre-calculus class, thank you guys for being my most supportive classmates.”
“Lastly,” Lin added, “I would like to thank my parents and my siblings for always supporting me. Your support and help are the reason I am able to stand here today.”
To her fellow graduates, Lin said, “We made it! I want you all to be proud of yourself. As we look back together for the past 12 years, we have made it through all the challenges, no matter if it was the typhoon, pandemic, or struggle to pass a class. It won’t stop us from entering the next chapter of our lives. So be proud of yourself, it’s you who work through all of it and make it here getting ready for your next chapter.”
Keynote address
The Class of 2024 chose their English teacher, Suaad Younis San Nicholas, as their keynote speaker.
San Nicholas delivered her address by stepping down from the stage to speak closer to the graduates.
“I would like to tell you that in all my years of teaching high school, I had never once been asked to be a keynote speaker. I never expected to be on the ballot. However, I am truly honored and happy that I was voted to be your keynote speaker. Thank you, Class of 2024. You will definitely be a class that I will never forget.
“Many people that would stand here would give you a grand speech about life and success. However, it is me standing here. I am not good at glossing and glamorizing such things. Also, I will not stand above you graduates. I am going to say my speech from down here. I did not get to where I am by diligence or sheer determination. I hardly have much focus and strong will. I got here by riding, almost drowning, and struggling in the waves of life. You all know how unpredictable the ocean is. Life is like the ocean. Beautiful and serene one day and stormy and dangerous the next. They say the ocean is the least explored place. Well, life is like that as well.
“Today is all about you and the success you have made for yourselves. The other thing I want to tell you before closing my speech is to embrace change. Embracing change is not easy because as humans, we seek comfort and familiarity. We like it when things work out and life seems to be going good. Change is a catalyst that brings new things into our lives.”
‘Manta Spirit’
Acting BOE Chair Maisie B. Tenorio, in her address, praised the school’s “Manta Spirit.” The manta ray is the school’s mascot.
“When I first moved home from college, SSHS was just brand new, and my first experience here was in 2006 when I stepped onto campus to attend a graduation. I left the ceremony thinking, ‘Wow, this school has some serious school spirit.’ I didn’t just hear the school motto but I felt it: ‘Un Eskuela, Un Korason,’ ” Tenorio said.
Since then, “I have visited your campus countless times, and that ‘Manta Spirit’ has been steady and strong — if anything, it’s even stronger now,” she added.
Noting the Class of 2024’s theme, “Embracing Change, Celebrating Success,” the acting BOE chair said:
“To me, that means making space for change in your life and then giving yourself a high-five when that change turns into something good. I know that’s easier said than done. But, like me, I know you have it in you. Look around. You brought all of us here today to watch you change from students of SSHS to alumni of SSHS! If you ever find yourself in the midst of change and it feels scary, remember what you did today. Use that ‘Manta Spirit’ to give you courage to embrace change. You got this!”
Saipan Southern High School’s Class of 2024 top 10 graduates: (1) valedictorian Ye Zhi Sablan (not in photo), (2) salutatorian Jing Lin, (3) Shamira Sulyman, (4) Gracie Reign Ordonez Mendiola, (5) Jobelle Ann Gutirre Sapo, (6)Jasmine Kyle Materum Saluta, (7) Uirom Park, (8) Aleeza Jolia Taitingfong Castro, (9) Sky Gusteen Lizama Palacios, and (10) Fatima Rose Ito. They are joined on stage by education officials led by Acting Board of Education Chair Maisie B. Tenorio, BOE member Andrew L. Orsini and Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho.
Class salutatorian Jing Lin received the Commissioner of Education Academic Achievement Award, from Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho. Also in photo are Special Education Program State Director Donna M. Flores, Senior Director Dr. Yvonne Reyes, Finance Director Arlene Lizama, Human Resource Director Lucretia Deleon Guerrero, Head Start Director Lathania Angui, and Principal Vince Dela Cruz.
The Principal’s Leadership Award was presented to Yasmeen Zahara Torres Younis by Principal Vince Dela Cruz and Vice Principal Arisa Sakai-Peters. With the awardee is her family members.
The Governor’s Leadership Award was presented to Mechaella De Ramos by acting Gov. David M. Apatang.
The Lieutenant Governor’s Leadership Award was presented to Casey Cruz. A family member received the award on her behalf.
