Joseph Kumugai Jr. of Kagman High School bested nine other contestants , while Yui Ito, an eighth grader of Calvary Christian Academy, won first place in the junior division against 14 other contestants.
In his poem titled “Mirrorcles,” Kumugai dreamed of all things pleasant and bright but woke up to realize that everything was the opposite.
It was Kumugai’s third time to join the Sengebau poetry competition. He did not win during the first time but he won second place last year.
“I love to write poems,” Kumugai said.
Ito’s poem, titled “Saipan’s Song and Dance,” described the beauty of nature.
“I am thrilled to win. It is my first time to join,” she said.
Ito’s poem “described how beautiful everything is in the island of Saipan.”
A panel of judges composed of Catherine P. Anderson, Galvin S. Deleon Guerrero and Robert Hunter reviewed the poems focusing on symbolism, metaphor and imagery.
The second panel of judges for the recital included Marianas Variety president Laila Y. Boyer, Leo Goode and Angel Hocog. All contestants received certificates of participation. Kumugai and Ito’s names will be inscribed on the perpetual trophies for each category.
The trophies will be displayed at the winning schools until the competition next year.
The poetry competition is sponsored annually by the NMI Council for Humanities to foster literary skills in the commonwealth and to honor the late Valentine N. Sengebau, a Palauan poet who spent the last 25 years of his life on Saipan.
The list of winners:
Senior division
First place – Joseph Kumugai, Jr., Kagman High School
Second place – Lallane Guiao, Saipan Southern High School
Third place – Christian Alexander R. Yamada – Kagman High School
First honorable mention – Maryann Mesngon Ulloa, Rota High School
Second honorable mention – Zelena Kaue Palijo, Calvary Christian Academy
Junior division
First place – Yui Ito, Calvary Christian Academy
Second place – Pete Manglona, Rota Junior High School
Third place – Amelia A. Quitugua, Grace Christian Academy-Rota
First honorable mention – Bonnibeth Marie Bachon, Grace Christian Academy-Saipan
Second honorable mention – Iris Yu, Calvary Christian Academy
Other contestants in the junior division were Sung Min Ahn and James Lim of Saipan International School; Nikkie Ayuyu and Kyle Sandbergen of Tinian Junior High School; Keanah Deleon Guerrero and April Indalecio of Hopwood Junior High School; Erin Mendiola and Don Taisacan of Mount Carmel School; Briannie Taimanao of Rota Junior High School; and Abby Lorraine Racoma of Grace Christian Academy-Saipan.
Other contestants in the senior division were Laigh Enriquez of Tinian High School, Jeremiah Perez of Calvary Christian Academy, Oall Phokpho and Madison Schultz of Saipan International School, and Joseph Taimanao of Rota High School.
