By Emmanuel T. Erediano
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Variety News Staff
IMMEDIATELY after the rain subsided on Thursday, the 132 eighth graders of Dandan Middle School walked the aisle in pairs with their heads held high, dressed in casual attire that reflected their individual styles.
Principal Vince Dela Cruz and Vice Principal Reo Arriola led this year’s promotees to their designated seats in front of the stage, where Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, Board of Education Chair Maisie Tenorio, and other education officials were seated, looking on with pride.
Equally proud parents and families crowded all sides of the quadrangle as they excitedly watched their children prepare to march to the stage and enter a new chapter of their lives.
DMS class valedictorian Jaden Hernandez Pacia received the Academic Excellence Award, along with awards in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Chamorro and Carolinian Language and Heritage Studies, Physical Education, and Board of Education recognition.
Class salutatorian Irieana DLG Camacho also received the Leadership Corps Award and the Commissioner of Education Award.
Other honorees included Elleayah Cruz, who received the Most Improved Award; Kaleb Reyes, Male Athlete of the Year; Dana Munar, Female Athlete of the Year; Rocco Iskawa, Leadership Award; Yaeko Jicko, Tottot Award; and Joseph Santos II, Career and Technical Education Award.
‘Endemic’
Board of Education Chair Maisie B. Tenorio described their accomplishment as extraordinary.
“I don’t use the word ‘extraordinary’ lightly because as I was reflecting this morning [about] what it means to DMS, it reminded me of the word I recently learned, and that word is ‘endemic,’ which means a particular species unique to a particular area,” Tenorio said.
She was referring to the tottot or Mariana fruit dove, which is endemic to the CNMI. Noting that the tottot, a bird species found only in the Marianas, is DMS’s mascot, the education board chair said it represents “the spirit of you all here today.” Like the tottot, she said, DMS students have survived many challenges.
But more importantly, Tenorio said, it represents triumph. The DMS promotees, like the endemic and resilient tottot, “remain an important part of the ecosystem, remain alive and thriving today.”
“With that, on behalf of the BOE, we have 100% full faith that as tottot you will continue to thrive, continue to move forward despite the obstacles before you,” she added.
Wonderful experience
Commissioner Camacho said in his remarks that it was a wonderful experience to be part of the celebration “because we have such a great family network, the community is out there, making sure that together we come to this moment where we celebrate the promotion of Grade 8 to Grade 9, all the way to high school.”
He also congratulated families and all those in the education ecosystem who worked for the students, from principals to faculty and staff, for contributing to a safe and supportive learning environment.
On behalf of the entire Public School System central office, Camacho thanked the DMS leadership, saying the lessons and experiences the students gained would serve as valuable preparation for high school.
The commissioner told the students that when they enter high school, they should carry with them the lessons and experiences from middle school.
“You are the best author of your story. You are writing your story. And when you do write your story, complete and close this chapter of your life as middle schoolers, and look forward to an opportunity where you can write a beautiful chapter in your high school years because that will be the launching pad for you,” he said.
“The dreams that you have today will be the ones we want to prepare for you. And we are doing everything we can to make sure that is set for you,” he added.
Times of crisis
DMS Principal Dela Cruz thanked education officials, saying they are “people who set the tone for the year, those who made sure schools are adequately funded, and who, during times of crisis, provided the support students need.”
He also thanked parents for trusting DMS with their children.
“Thank you for your patience, support and engagement. Your involvement makes our jobs easier,” he said.
To DMS teachers and staff, the principal acknowledged the challenges of the past weeks.
“But slowly but surely, we are here. We managed to do what we can so our students could come and enjoy this day,” he said, also recognizing Vice Principal Reo Arriola for his crucial role in preparing for the promotion day.
To the DMS promotees, he said, “Your faces really capture and define this day. It says, ‘I’m not going to give up. I will never give up despite all the obstacles that we have faced and will continue to face.’ I want to congratulate everyone.”
Valedictory address
DMS valedictorian Jaden Pacia said the DMS tottots were there to celebrate not only academic success but also extracurricular achievements, connections, and the growth they experienced throughout their three years in middle school.
“For a lot of us today, we might have that feeling of uncertainty, like the first day of middle school,” she said. She noted that they faced challenges that tested their strength and there were moments of fear, but they learned to support one another, adapt, and keep moving forward even “when circumstances were against us.”
Despite everything, Pacia said, they gathered to celebrate the resilience shown by the DMS promotees on their promotion day.
Pacia’s mother, Didith, said in an interview, “We’re so proud of what Jaden has accomplished. She worked very hard, not only to achieve her academic goals, but also to reach out to her community and make long-lasting memories with her friends.”
She thanked the DMS principal, vice principal, teachers, and staff for their support.
‘Let’s be brave’
Salutatorian Irieana DLG Camacho thanked all DMS staff and everyone who made the promotion possible even in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Sinlaku. She encouraged her fellow promotees, saying going to high school would feel similar to their first days in middle school.
“So let’s be brave and move on to high school with confidence and pride because DMS has prevailed as well,” she said.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
