(MCS) — For Mount Carmel School’s alumni, the impact of their alma mater reaches beyond the school walls.
Throughout its 50-year history, Mount Carmel School has produced some of the commonwealth’s most respected leaders in business, government, and community.
Now that their alma mater’s Golden Jubilee is at hand, many of these alumni are pausing to reflect on the impact that MCS has on them and their community.
One of the earliest graduates was Jeannette Sablan of the Class of 1966. Having established herself as a leading businessperson on island at one of the most successful hotels, Pacific Gardenia, Jean, as her friends and relatives call her, recalls learning more than just “book-smarts” at MCS. “I have learned the values of life, not only academics, but I have learned a lot more than that,” she said.
An alumnus from the Class of 1985, Father Roger Tenorio, has returned to his alma mater in recent years to continue to help the school. Having been involved as a student, teacher, and superintendent for Catholic education in the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, Father Roger brings a unique perspective to the school’s impact on the community.
From his standpoint, he sees the school as having a larger mission. “I see that Mount Carmel School is an important part of the life of the church. It has become an important tool in the church’s mission of evangelization.”
For many alumni, MCS has played an integral part in their life achievements. For instance, 1968’s valedictorian, Felicidad Ogumoro, attributes much of her success to values and skills learned at Mount Carmel.
The owner and editor of Pacific Information Bank, which produces many important publications in the Pacific, Felicidad points to Mount Carmel’s emphasis on excellence as the key to her success. “I know that Mount Carmel School instilled the desire for excellence in me. That has stayed with me all throughout my life.”
She also noted how MCS taught her the importance of giving back to her community. “Mount Carmel helped plant in me a desire for helping others. It’s not so much a question of making money but the desire to serve others.”
Another valedictorian, this time of the Class of 1990, is Arlene Yamagata. After graduate studies at Chaminade University of Honolulu, Hawaii, Arlene returned to the islands where she now serves as executive director for the Commonwealth’s Development Disabilities Council.
Reflecting on her years at MCS, Arlene most vividly recalled the centrality of faith in school life. “I remember prayer services during Lent. I really enjoyed how the school body would come together and reflect on the Lenten season. That was very memorable for me.”
She feels that such an emphasis on faith has had the most lasting impact on her life. “The focus at Mount Carmel is on religion. As a result of that, it was important for me, when deciding to go to college, to go to one that was Catholic, which is why I decided to go to Chaminade. It was important for me to continue in strengthening my Catholic faith.”
