In his speech, an emotional Demapan related the sad experience of his ailing father.
“I cannot believe that the world’s greatest scientists and medical doctors cannot find a cure for this kind of a disease,” said a teary-eyed Demapan.
He did not say what the disease was, but he admitted witnessing his father’s desperate physical, mental and spiritual conditions.
“I pray to God to heal him,” he said, as his 242 fellow graduates and the other members of the audience at the MHS gym nodded in approval.
He said he refuses to believe that “there’s no hope.”
He added, “If they give up hope they give up faith, and when they give up faith that means there’s no love for people who suffer.”
Demapan, this year’s recipient of the Board of Education Award, vowed to find a way to help his ailing father.
“I will not stop. I will continue my education. I will go to the end of the world in order to find a cure,” he said.
Larra Ramos, the class salutatorian, received the Commissioner’s Award.
Also honored yesterday were Adeleyah Mojica, who received the Governor’s Award and the Mayor’s Community Service Award; Heartim Williams, the Principal’s Award; and class president Alana Leon Guerrero, the MHS Alumni Award.
The top 10 students were Ye Sol Jun, Heartim Williams, Ji Hoon Heo, John Patrick Ermitanio, Rica Jin Kim, Bernadette Laviste, Christian Colin Cruz, Adeleyah Mojica, Larra Ramos and Darren Demapan.
This year’s class theme was “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”
The tribute to parents and guardian was given by Jerome Ocampo while Heartim William paid tribute to their teachers.
Maria Ornes, CNMI teacher of the year, was the keynote speaker.
MHS Class of 1970 valedictorian Bernadita T. Palacios opened the ceremony with her inspirational remarks.
Board of Education Chairwoman Lucia Blanco-Maratita and Education Commissioner Rita Sablan delivered their congratulatory remarks.
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