(PSS) — Tinian Middle School held a promotion ceremony for 34 eighth graders on Tuesday morning.
Chae Yun Seo is the class valedictorian and recipient of the Board of Education Academic Excellence Award, which was presented by BOE acting Chair Maisie B. Tenorio, Secretary/Treasurer Gregory P. Borja and Tinian BOE member Antonio L. Borja.
Tina Chang Chi is the class salutatorian and recipient of the Commissioner of Education Academic Excellence Award, which was presented by Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho.
The rest of the top 10 promotees are (3) Christofe Donald Dora Patio, (4) Nazario Aguon Borja Jr., (5) Kymani Flores Nabors, (6) Ken Joshua Cabrera Litulumar, (7) Aleckah Candice Anastacio and Ava Roxy Vihyel Ayuyu John, (9) Johndel Esmidella Almonte and (10) Arturo Lopez Rivera III.
The students’ chosen promotion theme was, “A Million Dreams for A World We’re Gonna Make.”
‘Greater good’
Class valedictorian Seo thanked everyone who supported her middle school journey. In her address, she described middle school as “a chapter in our lives where we prepared for the greater good, which we call an advancement in our life. And now I would like to say I am glad to finish this chapter and move on to the next.”
“We all have had our ups and downs throughout these years together, but it has been a memorable journey for all of us, even if some of our peers have left us midway. Without the support of everyone around me, I wouldn’t be standing here today,” she said.
She added, “Thank you to my parents for supporting me through everything and even on my bad days. I wouldn’t have come this far without them, and I want to say thank you to them. They were my source of motivation when I needed it the most.”
She also paid tribute to her school and teacher for “giving me enough knowledge to stand here.”
Seo said her peers who followed her on her middle school journey “have given me the desire and motivation to do my best and reach where I am.”
‘New chapter’
Salutatorian Chi, in her address, said her promotion to ninth grade is a special day for her family and peers.
“I am honored to be standing here in front of you as a salutatorian. This day is very special to not just me…but to all my peers and their family,” Chi said.
“This journey has been hard, and today represents the end of this chapter of my life and the beginning of a new chapter. I just want to thank my friends and most importantly my parents for supporting me through everything and always providing for me, being my backbone, and being the root of my dreams. I would not be standing here without them, as the point of a dream is lost when the roots are gone,” she said.
She likewise honored her Tinian Middle School teachers and staff “for understanding me and…for assisting me in my academics, and also to everyone who believed in me in any way during this journey…even if they are not here right now. Congratulations to the (future) Class of 2028!”
‘Advantage’
Principal Liz Perzinski is proud of her promoted students.
“You actually have more advantage than the eighth graders on Saipan who will move to an unfamiliar (and new learning) environment. Here, you share the campus with the high school, you did school events together. You’ll be fine,” she said.
She reminded the promoted students about their chosen promotion theme: “Your imagination is a powerful tool to change your attitude and state of mind. Every extraordinary achievement, every innovative idea was first imagined by someone or living inside somebody’s mind as a dream.”
She likewise acknowledged class advisers Tiana San Nicolas and Velma Reyes for their dedication and hard work.
‘You are not alone’
Acting BOE Chair Maisie B. Tenorio, in her remarks, praised the promoted students for their perseverance.
“On behalf of our chair, retired, SGM Herman Atalig and the rest of my colleagues on the 18th CNMI State Board of Education, I am honored to be here in celebration of your accomplishments. These last few years have not been easy, yet you showed up for your family, your classmates but, most importantly, for yourself,” Tenorio said.
“If you take any skill with you, take the one that helps you with one foot in front of the other. The next four years will also have its sets 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.”
‘Happy chemicals’
In his remarks, Commissioner of Education Camacho said the human body releases four “happy chemicals” to respond to signals about what to feel and how to function.
Camacho said “dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins…are naturally produced chemicals that respond to happy moments…such as special and memorable events like promotion ceremonies.”
“Sometimes, they are called feel-good body chemicals that react to lifestyle changes and moments like what we have today. We have a lot of emotions here because we are celebrating. Your parents, this beautiful community, and your educators and leaders, are celebrating with you,” Camacho said.
He assured the promoted students and their parents that PSS along with the BOE would continue to support their educational journey.
“We know that our leadership from the CNMI government to the BOE, have your back. What I mean…is that, from your teachers to your school principal, PSS key management and our BOE leaders will be there to help you.”
“As the acting [BOE chair] has said, the challenges that you’re going to face in high school are going to be there in front of you. But keep dreaming because I know you will be able to realize your dreams because we believe in you. You can make it. Life is going to be good because we will be there to support all of you in your educational journey. So what you need to do now is continue learning…and make those dreams a realization.”
Tinian Middle School’s top 10 promoted eighth graders pose for a photo with Principal Liz Perzinski, Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, Acting BOE Chair Maisie B. Tenorio and BOE member Antonio L. Borja to the Tinian. The top 10 are (1) Chae Yun Seo, (2) Tina Chang Chi, (3) Christofe Donald Dora Patio, (4) Nazario Aguon Borja Jr., (5) Kymani Flores Nabors, (6) Ken Joshua Cabrera Litulumar, (7) Aleckah Candice Anastacio and Ava Roxy Vihyel Ayuyu John, (9) Johndel Esmidella Almonte, and (10) Arturo Lopez Rivera III.
Class valedictorian Chae Yun Seo, joined by her parents and brother, is presented with the Board of Education Academic Excellence Award by Acting BOE Chair Maisie B. Tenorio and BOE member Antonio Toram Borja.
The Commissioner of Education Academic Excellence Award was presented to the class salutatorian, Tina Chang Chi, by Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho. Also in photo are Chi’s parents.
