173 Manta Rays graduated from Saipan Southern High School on Wednesday, May 28, at their Koblerville campus.
This year’s commencement theme was “Soaring Beyond the Tides.”
In her keynote address, Dr. Dora Miura, an SSHS teacher and the 2016 CNMI PSS State Teacher of the Year, issued three challenges to the seniors.
First of all, they should “be great,” said Miura, who is also the teacher representative to the Board of Education. “It sounds like you already want to go beyond what is in front of you and soar, so keep in mind that at the heart of greatness is you. It is only you that can get in your way to be great. It is fully in your power to be great, to believe in yourself and not let others define who you are.”
Looking at the graduates, she said she saw “great young minds, with lots of ideas, lots of energy and a lot of will to push the envelope.”
“Greatness can come in many shapes and sizes. Find the right fit of greatness for you and let your light shine and touch those around you.”
She further challenged them to “face their fears.”
“Often greatness comes with risk, and the reason you don’t take a risk and get out of your comfort zone is because of fear: fear of failure, fear of ridicule, fear of what others may think,” she said. “Look your fear in the face and say ‘ahi, dei guahu i magas,’ nope, I’m the boss! Be the boss, be the magas.”
Her third and last challenge was for the students to “come back, give back, [and] make our home a better place.”
She said: “Remember that you are from here, you are a Manta, you are a southside villager, you are a person who calls Saipan home. This is the place that raised you, this is the place that nurtured you, this is the place that loves you…. Go out into the world, be great, face your fears, be a magas, but then return home, come back to the place that raised you, come back to the place that nurtured you, come back to the place that loves you. Come back and help make this place a better place, so that it can continue to be a home that raises its people, nurtures its people, and loves its people.”
Top 10
The top 10 graduates of the Class of 2025 are Sadia Rahman, Mai Peters, Nolan Nate Jr., Tao Jin, Leia Pangelinan, Rihanna Geronimo, Franz Abadilla, Simon Tang, Yu Ling Chai, and Justin Afable. Nicole Mariano received an honorable mention.
In his salutatorian address, Yu Ling Chai thanked several people, including his numerous teachers, his va’a team, his friends, counselors, coaches, his girlfriend, and many others.
He gave special thanks to his mother and brother.
“My older brother, thank you for always being someone that I can relate to, especially when it comes to some things that only someone who grew up within the same family can…understand,” he said. “Thank you for guiding me throughout my childhood alongside Mom…. Thank you, Mom. On this journey called life, I owe a lot to you.”
He spoke especially to his mother in Chinese and became emotional. He later switched back to English to say: “If it wasn’t for her, there would be no me today. She always held me to high standards and never let me give up on learning, on doing my job as a student…. She sacrificed a lot, just like many other moms and dads out here today. She guided and pushed me forward with endless encouragement…I did my best to prove that all of her hard work was not wasted. Thank you, Mom.”
Hardworking students
For his part, class valedictorian Justin Afable began his speech by commending his classmates.
“I would like to say congratulations to all the wonderful and hardworking graduates that are sitting here with us today. Each one here has displayed their commitment to studying despite the hardships we face in our lives,” he said. “We all had to go through some form of challenge in our life to make us want to give up, to not keep going. It would be easier just to give up…but that’s not what happened. We’re all here today because we didn’t give up. We kept going. We wanted more. We wanted a bright future for ourselves, and we kept going for it.”
He urged his fellow graduates to continue to persevere.
“We all have our dreams, our aspirations,” he said. “I’m not here to tell you what to do, or what you should do, but I am telling you that whatever you chose to do, if it’s something you want, or if you’re doing it to become something you want, don’t ever give up on that dream.”
The graduates
The members of the SSHS Class of 2025 are: Franz Cedric Domingo Abadilla, Martin Alota Abendan, Lynette Dinalynn Lizama Ada, Justin David Samson Afable, Mark Joseph Mejala Alcasid, II, Rachel Bocago Alvarado, Tyler Pedro Andrew, Andrielle Jewel Appleby, Jenno Coching Aque, Memama Petrus Asep, Joselynn Larissa Aldan Atalig, Anthony Jampadai Austria, Sean Roben Ordonez Ayeras, Sharlane Angel Villegas Balce, Claire Min Ha Bang, Eman Joven Bendana Barce, Lanilora Fijiana Andonius Billy, Jose Rafael Medallon Bitun, Eric Jose Del Rosario Borja, Jared Joseph Dela Cruz Borja, Jessica Victoria Oller Cabrera, Margaret Estella Rose Reyes Cabrera, Martha Lee Camacho Cabrera, Angel Ashley Padua Calage, Chloe Alexis Oikawa Camacho, Devin Gage Mareham Camacho, Javin Leohn Borja Camacho, Verisa Lyvea Reyes Camacho, Davin Ray Charfauros Castro, Deveney Ann Kirsten Manalo Castro, Trix Vanie Aico Arceo Catindig, Nakisha Jewel Lisua Celis, Kyrie Anne Navarrete Cepeda, Yu Ling Chai, Trudy Leandra Ruedigow Changar, Charlson James Fuertez Charley, Monico Koyama Claridades, Josh Marty Magtapat Crisostomo, Aric Joseph Guerrero Cruz, Chelsea Rebecca Castro Cruz, Duane Lewis Palacios Danford, Sly Mark Hong Defang, Keoana Jesselle Savea Deleon Guerrero, Klin Mendiola Deleon Guerrero, Laraine Jazmine Gonzales Diyco, Cae Anne Jose Doca, Megan Mae Pabilona Elayda, Carl Patrick Dador Enriquez, Kane Phillip Lizama Eusebio, Elaiza Jae Teregeyo Fitial, Liling Jade Teregeyo Fitial, Sachko Roman Fred, Joann Apigo Garcia, Rihanna Marie Dela Rosa Geronimo, Kaydence Wayana Ria Sasaki Gillespie, Cezally Jashbel Quidilig Goles, Mary Keziah Gomez, Brayden Cardinales Haruzi, Rianna Mendiola Helgen, Nicole Paige Iriarte Hofschneider, Damian Gerard Valdez Indalecio, Jeffrey Jerel Castro Javier, Jr., Tao Jin, Nam Khang Dang Kankanan Pathirage, Amada Roseann Kileleman, Domingka Asuncion Takahashy Kosy, Zoe Elizabeth Jo Yue Davis Lee, Jia Hao Li, Delton Leelan Joel Reyes Lieto, Joaquin Jose Lizama, Mirella Lopez, Tefannie Lucas Lumactod, Sheyann Gabrielle Maglalang Ma. Coll, Kyle John Manalo, Draeshia Manibusan Manglona, Kayhana Faith Cabrera Manglona, Keahie Jo Barcinas Manglona, Raeyahna Joreen Kisa Maratita, Nicole Erin Pineda Mariano, Lerry Dela Cruz Marquez, Esabelle McDowell Mateo, Jeremiah Diana Maximo, Jr., Liam Cody Licop Mendoza, Lori Lena Lairopi Mettao, Michael Jeremy Reyes Mogar, Heart Lyndsay Zaragoza Montemayor, Janeirose Christine Nakayama, Nonthicha Nakrin, Nolan Canlas Nate, Jr., Andrew Margallo Ngitiyeb, Kachuo KN Norech, Michael Juel Odoshi, Francis James Quitugua Pangelinan, II, Leia Joleen Hocog Pangelinan, Ha’ani Tivia Passi, Mark Joseph Elumba Patubo, Mark Joshua Elumba Patubo, Francisco Joseph Deleon Guerrero Paul, Milakale’ Isaiah Arriola Pe, Mai Janae Sakai Peters, Sadia Siddiqi Rahman, Jesner Tasi Rasiang Ramon, Marvin Jasper Ramon, Cristian Josh Alampayan Reyes, Janice Masters Reyes, Malosi Manuel Leuta Reyes, Emiko Jade Rosario, Chenille Rys Sabangan, Aaliyah Victoria Borja Sablan, Kylie Ann S. Sablan, Andreas Nemesio Billy Saito, Hyanna Grace Jocson Salas, Miley Jaynise Agulto Salas, Shawn Xavier Tuiolosega Salas, Carmelita Ann Layugan San Nicolas, Jomanda Babauta Santos, Rianalynn Baby Wabol Sato, Yang Peter Shi, Bfanny Singeichy, Maria Salud Viesca Sion, Huirong Situ, Joe Vincent Maratita Taitano, Jr., Simon Daniel Tang, Raelani Carmelita Teregeyo, Blescy Anne Pearl Villafuerte Tomas, Keith Joe Manahane Torres, Riana Guinto Vicente, Marston Gabriel Lattao Villagomez, Teihawny Rheanne Takai Villagomez, Victoria Lynn Villagomez, Shanna Mae Manago Villaluz, Jeniah Bailey Fujihira Villar, and Jyler Brent Fujihira Villar.
173 seniors graduated from Saipan Southern High School on Wednesday, May 28, at their Koblerville campus.
This year’s commencement theme was “Soaring Beyond the Tides.”
Dr. Dora Miura, SSHS teacher and teacher representative to the Board of Education, delivers her keynote address.
The top 10 graduates of the Class of 2025 pose for a photo.
Yu Ling Chai, class salutatorian
Justin Afable, class valedictorian
Top 9 graduate Mai Janae Sakai Peters smiles for the camera. Congratulations from her family!
