But the majority of those who attended the First Start Smart Senior Seminar yesterday at the Saipan World Resort said they want to pursue a college education here, in the states, the Philippines or Australia.
Leo Pangelinan, College Access Challenge Project manager, said they want to see an increase in the number of high school graduates entering college this year.
The biggest challenge of students after graduation is the anxiety of not knowing how to pursue their college education, he said.
With this seminar, he added, they are expanding student support services and activities which include college applications and financial aid, scholarship and professional development for system-wide guidance counselors and student support personnel.
He said the College Access Challenge Project, which is administered by Northern Marianas College, has been helping students to build aspiration and to become emotionally and mentally prepared for college.
The federally funded program aims to increase the number of native Pacific islanders and those from low-income families to enroll and succeed in college.
Leonard Camacho, one of the senior MHS students who attended yesterday’s seminar, said he wants to pursue his college education in the U.S.
The economic crisis in the CNMI is another factor why he decided to move to the states, he added.
But Remy Gonzales said she reconsidered her decision to enroll in Oregon after the seminar.
“I think I’m not ready to be by myself,” she said, adding that after graduation she will take a criminal justice course in NMC.
Another MHS student, Zelma Santos, said: “I think the seminar helped me changed my mind about going to college. Now, I’m really interested in going to NMC.”
Charmaine Cuengco said the seminar was “really helpful.”
“I gained a lot of knowledge regarding scholarships and how I can pay for college,” she said. “I am rethinking my decision to attend the University of Guam after high school because there is a nursing course at NMC and after the presentation I believe that NMC can really help me obtain the education that I want to pursue.”
Today, Pangelinan said the seminar will be attended by students from Kagman High School and Southern Saipan High School.
