“You can have knowledge and when you go to school you are prepared,” Foreman, 10, a 5th grade student of Mt. Carmel School and he completed 40 books for two weeks, surpassing the required 15 books for the two-month program.
Foreman said he has been participating in the program for three years and will continue to enroll next year.
Last Friday, out of the 142 enrolled in the program only 60 passed and received certification of completion.
Those who topped the program were Maelyn Maratita with 286 books, Marvin Maratita, 236, Gayatri Nandwandi, 105; Froilan Gregory Camacho, 91 and Britney T. Pelep, 60 books.
Erlinda C. Naputi, children’s library associate, said there were four students not able to complete reading the required 15 books.
The Summer Reading program, sponsored by the Children of our Homeland Center in Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, is open to 6 to 12 year-old children.
Angel de Jesus and Shanon Mendiola were also recognized for placing first and second, respectively, in the scrap book contest.
Froilan Camacho, immigration inspector and father of Froilan Gregory Camacho, said the parents have to make sacrifice in bringing their children to the library.
“The program is a great opportunity for our children to learn new things,” he told Variety.
At home, he said, they explained to their children the “new and hard words” they encountered in the book. His four year old daughter Kiana also enrolled in the program.
Naputi said parents are required to stay with their children while attending the program in the library. She was dismayed some parents left their children after bringing them to the center and went shopping.
This problem should be stopped, she said, adding that she warned parents they will be reported to the Department of Youth Services for neglecting his children.
Maureen Sebangiol, Friends of the Library president, said this year’s summer program has the highest number of participants.
“The parents are very enthusiastic and they are committed to spare their time to have that bonding with their children,” she said.
Edward Arriola Jr. Tan Holdings Corporate Affairs/Business Development Research said he was impressed of the participation of the children to learn and love reading of informative books.
Arriola led sponsors in distributing gift certificates, t-shirt, bags, and special items during the recognition.
Other sponsors are Kanane Lee, Olivia Hirch, Aqua Resort, 360 Revolving Restaurant, 670 Rock Steady Shop, Bestseller Bookstore, Big Dipper Ice Cream, Coca Cola Co. Inc., DFS Saipan, D & Q Saipan, Fiesta Resort, Hollywood Theaters, Hyatt Regency, Joeten Enterprise, Library Friends, Lollipops Inc,. McDonnalds, MegaByte, Modern Stationary, National Office Supply, Pacific Islands Club, Pacific Trading Company, Pizza Hut, PC Outlet, Saipan Computer Services, Saipan World Resort, Saipan Grand Hotel, Saipan Zoo, Shell Marianas, Subway, Taco Bell/KFC, Tan Holdings, The Set and the White Coconut Computers.
The summer reading program’s goal is to keep the children busy and at the same time learn about more on culture, arts, and reading, Naputi said.
“The program was very successful and I also want to thank the volunteers,” she said.
