DANDAN Middle School promoted 146 eighth graders to high school on Wednesday morning.
It was the eighth promotion ceremony for Dandan Middle School which transitioned from an elementary school in 2014.
The 2022 class valedictorian is Arce Aligado Sangalang who is also the recipient of the Board of Education Award presented by BOE Chairman Gregory Pat Borja, Vice Chairman Antonio Borja, Secretary/Treasurer Maisie Tenorio and Board Member Herman Atalig of Rota.
The class salutatorian is Herminia Kolani Sablan Agulto who received the Commissioner of Education of Education Award from Education Commissioner Dr. Alfred B. Ada and Associate Commissioner for Administration Eric Magofna.
Principal James Sablan and Vice Principal Reo Arriola assisted in the presentation of the awards to the students.
More awardees
The Female Athlete of the Year was Angelina George while Ethan John Sablan and Kian Peter Helgen were the Male Athletes of the Year.
The subject awardees are salutatorian Herminia Kolani Sablan Agulto for English Language Arts Award and Chamorro Carolinian Language and Heritage Studies Award; class valedictorian Arce Aligado Sangalang for Mathematics, Science, Leadership Corps and STEM or Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; Julliana Perez for Social Studies and Computer Literacy; Miamoure Torwan for Physical Education; and Kyla Diestro for Advanced Art.
Struggles
In his valedictory address, Arce Sangalang noted the struggles that he and his fellow eighth graders experienced amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“For most of us, remote learning has been a struggle to keep up with. It was a sudden change that we all had to adapt to within a short amount of time. But we are here, promoted to the next level,” Sangalang said. “A new chapter of life is coming; that means new struggles and new challenges but I am hopeful that these things will help mold us to become the person we were meant to be.”
Sangalang also paid tribute to his teachers and his friends. “I would like to thank my parents, Caesar and Edna Sangalang, for nurturing and providing me with everything I need to achieve this academic accomplishment.”
Class salutatorian Herminia Sablan Agulto said, “To my parents, Melanie and Paython, you’ve been the biggest support system in my life. I know you’re going to say this is all me, which it is, but you are the main reason I achieved this milestone in my life. You’ve pushed me to put my best effort in everything I do, taught me to always be the bigger and better person, inspired me to be a leader, but most importantly to be humble and true to myself.”
She then told her fellow promoted students: “The future is unknown and we know that life sometimes isn’t fair. Obstacles will come our way and challenge us. It is in those trying times that we need to be resilient so that we are able to overcome and rise above ourselves in order to move forward.”
Class valedictorian and Board of Education Award recipient Arce Aligado Sangalang poses for a photo with his father, Cesar Sangalang, godmother Arlene Silva, BOE Chairman Gregory Pat Borja, Vice Chairman Antonio L. Borja, Secretary/Treasurer Maisie B. Tenorio Board Member Herman Atalig, Principal James Sablan and Vice Principal Reo Arriola.
Class salutatorian and Commissioner of Education awardee Herminia Kolani Sablan Agulto poses for a photo with her mother, Marianas High School Vice Principal Melanie Sablan Rdiall, father, Paython, and Public School System officials led by Education Commissioner Dr. Alfred B. Ada, Associate Commissioner for Administration Eric Magofna, Senior Director Dr. Rizalina Liwag, Principal James Sablan and Vice Principal Reo Arriola.
Subject award recipients: Herminia Kolani Sablan Agulto — English Language Arts and Chamorro Carolinian Language and Heritage Studies; Arce Aligado Sangalang — Mathematics, Science, Leadership Corps, and STEM; Julliana Perez — Social Studies and Computer Literacy; Miamoure Torwan — Physical Education; Kyla Diestro — Advanced Art.
The Female Athlete of the Year is Angelina George
Ethan John Sablan and Kian Peter Helgen are the Male Athletes of the Year.
Jack Torres and wife Irene Tudela Torres, with her mother, Ana Tudela, and daughter Tiana Reyes celebrate the promotion of Jack and Irene’s daughter Jacqlene Torres. Also in photo is Principal James Sablan.
From left Serrina Manabat, 8th grade promotee Keziah Manabat, Maria Manabat, and Bryan Manabat. Keziah received an award for outstanding academic achievement.
Proud parents Tanya Pangelinan and Adrian Mendiola pose for a photo with their daughter, Monique Mendiola.
