Last Saturday’s caroling and float competitions at the park drew hundreds of spectators.
As early as 5 p.m., students from various elementary schools were already impressing the crowd as they presented their entries in the float contest.
This year marked the seventh annual Christmas in the Marianas celebration which had two categories: caroling and float competitions.
Oleai, which won $700 in cash, was named the caroling contest champion after performing a medley of Christmas songs accompanied by the synchronized dance steps of more than 50 students.
Oleai principal Glenn Muna said he is grateful to the students, teachers and parents who diligently rehearsed and worked hard to prepare for the competitions.
For wining the Christmas tree decoration contest, Oleai received a $3,000 cash prize.
“This is really a merry Christmas for all of us at Oleai,” he told Variety.
Muna said the $3,700 the students received from the two events will be used in purchasing needed books and instructional materials.
Sixth grader Kaishia Warakai, one of the school’s Christmas in the Marianas team members, said it took them two weeks to practice for the competition.
“We’re so proud we’ve made it again!” she told Variety, adding that she will “forever cherish” her four years of participating in the contest.
Named second place winner in the caroling contest was Koblerville Elementary School while Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary finished third.
The schools that received consolation prizes were San Antonio, Kagman, Tanapag, Chacha Oceanview Junior High School’s sixth graders, Garapan and Dandan.
For the float competition, San Antonio won first prize.
Judges were impressed with the creativity and resourcefulness of the school’s float which included a huge Christmas tree made of natural and recycled materials such as plastic bottles, coconut husks, as well as natural plants such as banana and betel nut.
Kagman won second prize while Koblerville was awarded the third prize.
According to Gordon Marciano, one of the event organizers, they will extend the invitation to high schools next year.
Marciano said the caroling competition started six years ago at the Garapan Fishing Base with only a few schools participating.
“If we’ve seen this event very successful with our elementary schools, we’re sure that it will even be more successful when the high schools come in,” he added.
Marciano said the annual competition “also helps promote our island’s indigenous cultures among tourists.”
Oleai won the Christmas tree decoration contest at the Paseo de Marianas in Garapan by besting 12 other participants by garnering 267 points.
Saipan Community School came in second with 264 points and won the $2,000 cash award.
William S. Reyes Elementary School and Garapan Elementary School ended in a tie for third place with 259 points. Each school received $1,000.
Four schools got $750 each for winning fifth prize from Kinpachi Restaurant — Dandan Elementary School, Joshua Generation International Academy, San Vicente and San Antonio.
A consolation prize of $500 each went to Kagman Elementary School, Grace Christian Academy, Tanapag, Gregorio T. Camacho and Ladera International School of Saipan.
Paseo De Marianas Promoters, Inc. coordinator Sonia Siwa said the first, second and third prizes for this year’s contest were donated by RNV Construction, Coco Restaurant and Hafadai Magazine.
The consolation prizes were donated by RNV Construction and Misa Building.
This year’s contest had the theme “A Green Christmas Tree for the Children of the Marianas.”
Paseo De Marianas provided the Christmas trees to all the participants who then decorated them with ornaments made from recycled materials.
Siwa said this year’s event introduced two new features — the participation of the manamko’ who decorated their own Christmas tree, and the participation of tourists who were given a chance to write their wishes on red ribbons that were used to decorate the giant Christmas tree.
Cash prizes were given to six students from Tinian and Rota who won the annual drawing contest with the theme “My Holiday Greetings to our Visitors.”
From Tinian, Tiana Lizama, a grade four student, won first place. Second place went to Elton Hofsheneider, another fourth grader, while third place went to Rosemarie Malicdem, a six grader.
Winners from Rota were Meriden Hocog, first place; Theora Manglona, second; and Jana S. Mendiola, third.
All three are from Sinapalo Elementary School.
The winners took home $50, $30 and $20 for first, second and third prizes.
The event is in collaboration with the office of the CNMI’s first lady, the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs and the governor’s Office of Youth Affairs.
