She said each recipient can avail of the four-year scholarship which amounts to $1,500 per year for a total of $6,000.
Sablan commended the recipients for their excellent essays and their cumulative grade point averages which ranged from 3.9 to 4.0.
She also praised the teachers for their recommendation letters and all the parents for the quality time they have invested in helping their children achieve academic success.
This year’s Robert C. Byrd scholars:
• Albert Tudela Palacios of Saipan Southern High School. His parents are Albert and Katharine Palacios of Dandan. Albert has been accepted to Boise State University in Boise, Idaho. He plans on majoring in business like his older brother who received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Boise State University.
• Denn Manibusan Manglona, a senior at Rota High School. Denn has been accepted to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He plans to major in engineering. His parents are Senate President Paul A. Manglona and Lydia Manglona of Songsong, Rota.
• Trini De Leon Guerrero Macduff, the daughter of Ray S. and Barbara DLG. Macduff of Kagman. Trini is a senior at Saipan Southern High School. Trini has been accepted to attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu, Hawaii. She wants to be a civil engineer.
• Ryan Ortizo of Mount Carmel High School. His parents are Nero and Myrna Ortizo of Chalan Kanoa. Ryan plans to attend New York University and major in biology on a pre-med track.
• Madison Anne Smith is a senior at Northern Marianas Academy and the daughter of F. Matthew and Christina Smith of Capital Hill. Madison has been accepted to attend Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and plans to major in life sciences and after graduation entering veterinary school.
• Miki Nadia Macachor Dela Cruz is the daughter of Manases T. and Violeta M. Dela Cruz of Capital Hill. Miki graduated from Kagman High School and she has been accepted to attend Portland Community College where she plans to major in education. She also intends to attend medical school after attaining her four-year degree.
• Luella Lynn Orlando is another graduate of Kagman High School. She is the daughter of Jose and Lisa K. Orlando of Capital Hill. She has been accepted to attend the University of Guam. Luella wants to be a pediatrician.
• Darren Tenorio Demapan is the son of Gregorio and Maura Demapan of Chalan Kanoa. Darren graduated from Marianas High School and he has been accepted to attend Stanford University. He plans to major in pre-med.
• Armalene Bautista Cabreros is the daughter of Armando S. and Madeleine B. Cabreros of San Antonio. She graduated from Mount Carmel High School and has been accepted to attend Neumont University in South Jordan, Utah. Armalene wants to pursue a career as a computer programmer.
• Jim Cedric “CJ” Libut is the son of Conrado T. and Joji N. Libut of San Jose, Tinian. CJ graduated from Grace Christian Academy-Saipan and has been accepted to attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa where he plans to major in engineering.
• Adeleyah Charlotte Mojica is the daughter of Wolf and Tokie Mojica of Chalan Kanoa. Adeleyah graduated from Marianas High School and has been accepted to attend Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. She plans to pursue a career in communications and international relations.
• Dion Shante Agulto Diaz is the daughter of Joaquin D. and Violeta A. Diaz of Kagman. She graduated from Kagman High School and has been accepted to attend Boise State University in Boise, Idaho. Dion wants to be an engineer.
• Winona-Rebekah Blanco Maratita is the daughter of David Maratita and Lucy Blanco-Maratita of Marpo Heights, Tinian. Winona is a senior at Tinian High School. She has been accepted to attend Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon where she plans to study pre-pharmacy.
Commissioner Sablan said the CNMI needs the expertise that each of these scholars will acquire when they complete their studies.
“It is for that reason, that the Public School System urges each of these 13 scholars to be diligent in their studies and to come home and share your knowledge and practice the skills you have acquired once you graduate,” she added.
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