By Emmanuel T. Erediano
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
LESS than an hour before Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Jr./Sr. High School’s promotion ceremony was set to begin Friday morning, school administrators, teachers, staff, and volunteers were still putting the finishing touches on the ceremony venue.
Strong winds overnight had threatened decorations painstakingly prepared the day before, forcing the school community to regroup and rebuild.
By the time families arrived, however, little evidence remained of the early morning scramble.
Blue and gold decorations lined the ceremony area, chairs were neatly arranged, and the campus was ready to celebrate 29 eighth-grade students moving on to high school.
In many ways, the scene reflected the theme chosen by the Class of 2026: “Where We Start Shapes Our Journey.”
Presided over by Principal Annette A. Calvo and her school team, the ceremony became more than a recognition of academic achievement. It also served as a reflection of the close-knit spirit that continues to define Rota.
Among those attending the promotion were PSS Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, Board of Education Vice Chairman Anthony D.L.C. Barcinas, BOE Secretary-Treasurer Antonio L. Borja, and other key PSS leaders, including Associate Commissioner for Administrative Services Eric Magofna, Federal Programs Officer Jacqueline P. Che, Acting Student Support Services Senior Director Donna M. Flores, Acting Senior Director for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Lorraine Catienza, and Head Start/Early Head Start Director Lathania Angui.
Local officials, including Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds and Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog, also attended.
Our beginnings do not define our limits
Leading the promoting class was valedictorian Ge’selle Estefania Pendergrass Barcinas, recipient of the Board of Education Award.
In remarks that blended humor, gratitude, and reflection, Barcinas credited her family, teachers, and friends for helping shape her journey.
Quoting rapper J. Cole’s line, “No such thing as a life that’s better than yours,” she reminded classmates that every student reaches success through different circumstances.
“We didn’t all start in the same place,” Barcinas said. “But our beginnings, our families, our teachers, our struggles, and our victories shaped who we are today. Where we started didn’t limit us. It launched us.”
She encouraged her classmates to embrace the opportunities and challenges awaiting them in high school while remembering the friendships and lessons they formed at RHI.
Family and community matter
Salutatorian Ella Rose Del Rosario Maratita, recipient of the Commissioner of Education Award, reflected on the challenges that have shaped her generation’s educational experience.
She recalled the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and, more recently, Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
“Sinlaku may have taken away our homes, but it did not take away our spirit,” she said. “We continued to strive, persevere, and move forward together.”
Maratita thanked her family, teachers, classmates, and the broader Rota community for making her educational journey possible.
She also reminded fellow promotees not to lose sight of the relationships that helped shape them.
“Don’t forget those who supported and shaped your identity; don’t forget your family,” she told her classmates.
Honors and recognition
In addition to the Board of Education and Commissioner of Education awards, Keija Atalig Manglona received the Principal’s Leadership Award.
Joining Barcinas and Maratita among the top-ranked students were Keija A. Manglona, Jenniline Marie P. Masga, Lokela Rose A. Taisacan, Ha’leiya Delia Ann R. Salas, Jassie Dee O. Manglona, Julia Samantha Z. Atalig, and Jayden T. Cantil.
Subject-area awards were also presented for outstanding academic achievement. Recipients included:
• English Language Arts — Ge’selle Estefania P. Barcinas
• Social Studies — Jenniline Marie P. Masga
• Science — Ge’selle Estefania P. Barcinas
• Chamorro Carolinian Language Heritage Studies — Ha’leiya Delia Ann R. Salas
• Mathematics — Ge’selle Estefania P. Barcinas
• Physical Education — Keija A. Manglona and Ella Rose Del Rosario Maratita
• Computer Studies — Keija A. Manglona
• Leadership Corps — Julia Samantha Z. Atalig, Ge’selle Estefania P. Barcinas, and Jassie Dee O. Manglona
• Career Exploration/Fine Arts — Ge’selle Estefania P. Barcinas
The Mayor’s Award was presented to Ge’selle Estefania Pendergrass Barcinas, while Lunara Lynn Sablan Lizama received the 20th Rota Municipal Council Perseverance Award.
Ready for the next journey
For Calvo and the RHI school community, Friday’s promotion ceremony marked another milestone for students preparing to enter high school.
The promotes of the Class of 2026 were:
Mohammad Anas Alamgir, Julia Samantha Z. Atalig, Ge’selle Estefania P. Barcinas, Geanne Faith A. Barcinas, Jace A. Barcinas, Jayden T. Cantil, Titus J. Feolino, Geovon James II M. Hocog, Lunara Lynn S. Lizama, Aiden Domingo A. Manglona, Jassie Dee O. Manglona, Johanilyn Manglona, Keija A. Manglona, Ella Rose D. Maratita, Jakon Sean M. Maratita, Fransi Carmen B. Masga, Jenniline P. Masga, Darren A. Mendiola Jr., Francisco Kai H. Muna, Caylum Jack T. Ogo, Makoa O. Ogo, Bradley A. Pinaula Jr., Peter James V. Reyes, Javier John Sahagon, Ha’leiya Delia Ann R. Salas, Jiraiya M. Taisacan, Lokela Rose A. Taisacan, Chance T. Villagomez, and Oscar Joe Vino.
Your journey is just beginning
Board of Education Vice Chairman Anthony D.L.C. Barcinas told the promotees that the class theme, “Where We Start Shapes Our Journey,” reflected the experiences, relationships, and lessons that helped shape them throughout their years at RHI.
Speaking directly to the 29 students, Barcinas said every journey is unique, but all are connected by the support of family members, teachers, and community leaders who helped them reach promotion day.
“Where we begin helps shape who we become,” he said. “The lessons you learned here, the friendships you built, and the people who supported you will remain part of your journey as you move forward.”
Barcinas encouraged students to approach high school with confidence and purpose, reminding them that the next chapter would bring new opportunities to learn, grow, and discover their potential.
He also thanked parents, families, teachers, and staff for guiding students through their middle school years and preparing them for the transition to high school.
Community spirit on display
Camacho, joined by members of his leadership team, reminded students that Rota’s greatest strength is not found in its buildings or programs, but in its people.
“The beautiful thing about Rota is you — our people, our families, this community, and our children,” Camacho said.
Reflecting on the efforts that transformed the campus into a celebration venue despite challenging weather conditions, the commissioner said the community’s response reflected the values that continue to define the island.
“The community did not stop. We celebrate the essence of the community,” he said. “It is you.”
Turning to the promotees, Camacho encouraged them to make the most of the opportunities awaiting them in high school.
“To our students, make that chapter useful as you move to high school,” he said.
Calvo echoed those sentiments as she closed the ceremony, praising teachers, staff, volunteers, and families who came together to ensure the Class of 2026 received the celebration they deserved.
She thanked her school team for its dedication and commitment, noting that the ceremony reflected the same spirit of teamwork and service that has long defined the RHI community.
Despite strong winds that threatened decorations prepared the previous day, the school community regrouped and transformed the campus into a fitting venue for the promotion ceremony.
For Calvo, the effort was about giving the school’s 29 promotees the best possible send-off as they prepare for high school.
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.
