Thirty-six senior students received their diplomas.
Soo Ji Ha, 18, is the eldest daughter of Soo Jeong Kim and Young Joo Ma.
This class valedictorian was also the recipient of the President’s Award for Meritorious Achievement, Best in Social Studies, Mathematics Award, Speech Award and the President’s Award for Education Excellence.
Soo Ji Ha will attend the University of Michigan where she intends to major in international relations.
She intends to come back to the island and be of service to the community.
In her message, Soo Ji Ha expressed gratitude to her alma mater for the “many good things” in her life.
“This Class of 2008, I think, is the most unique class with diverse, talented, and enthusiastic friends,” she said. “I have to admit that our class is not the most prepared class, but I do have to say that when we have to prepare for a pep rally, a field day and singing Christmas songs, we can practice the night before and still win the competition.”
The MCS seniors were also on the mock trial team that brought honors to the school as the CNMI’s representative to national competition.
Half of the players of the winning basketball team were also part of Class of 2008, she added.
All the lead characters of this year’s MCS Theatre Club movie, “Ceasar,” were seniors who also topped this year’s AG’s Cup speech competition.
Soo Ji Ha was an active participant in several extra-curricular activities and community programs.
Because of Mount Carmel School, she said she also learned about friendship, commitment and patience.
She commended the “excellent teaching capabilities” of her mentors at MCS.
This year’s salutatorian was Letitia W. Cabrera, the only child of Quinny and Jose Cabrera.
The 17-year-old student will continue her education at the Elliot School of International Affairs of George Washington University.
Like Soo Ji Ha, it’s her dream to become successful and to serve the CNMI.
Cabrera is also the recipient of awards for excellence in the English language arts, social studies, theology, and drama. She is also a recipient of the President’s Award for Educational Excellence.
In her remarks, she cited the following quotation from women’s rights advocate Susan B. Anthony: “Sooner or later we all discover that the important moments in life are not the advertised ones, not the birthdays, the graduations, the weddings, not the great goals achieved. The real milestones are less prepossessing. They come to the door of memory unannounced, stray dogs that amble in, sniff around a bit and simply never leave. Our lives are measured by these.”
Also on Saturday, Chalan Kanoa Bishop Tomas A. Camacho bestowed to Claire Dina Cabrera the Christian Service Award, Theology Award and the President’s Award for Educational Excellence.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, for his part, named Ruby Ann Venus as this year’s recipient of the Governor’s Leadership Award.
Venus is also the recipient of the science award, the English language arts award, the fine arts award, the speech award, the drama award, the loyalty award, and the President’s Award for Educational Excellence.
The rest of the honor students were Hee Yong Yoon, 1st honor; Eun Bi Park, 2nd honor; Na Eun Kim, 3rd honor; Hanna Elizabeth S. Hofschneider ,4th honor; Ruby Ann Venus, 5th honor; Claire Dina Cabrera, 6th honor; Angela Lailani Salas, Jessica D. Takai, 7th honors; Erlyn Y. Dalan, 8th honor; and Audrey Marie S. Camacho, 9th honor.
The commencement exercise was concluded by an emotional speech of MCS principal Galvin Deleon Guerrero, who noted his closeness to this year’s graduates.
He said the school is proud of all the honors and achievements of the MCS Class of 2008.
