“We will all be going our own way after this ceremony. Despite such fact, do not forget the island you came from and the family you will leave behind. Do not forget the people who have guided you along the way,” he said, in his address before receiving the Board of Education Award.
Palacios said he will leave the island this month but encouraged the other 114 graduates to “gain more knowledge and remain determined” so they can achieve their goals.
“We all have a long path ahead of us. Let us not make that path a boring journey. Instead, an adventure filled with new discoveries as well as experiences to fill our memories and lives.”
He added, “Our futures are unpredictable but let us take steps to reassure ourselves that our future will be a satisfying one.”
This year’s salutatorian, Bo Mi Lee, was also leaving Saipan.
“In less than 10 hours, I will be off this island. My mother and I have already packed everything. We sold our car, table, TV, and everything, but I will never leave behind the life in Saipan,” she said in her address.
Lee is this year’s recipient of the Commissioner’s Award.
In her speech, she narrated her hardship as she tried to learn English when she first arrived on island at the age of 12.
“Nothing can help you but only the trust and confidence in yourself can keep you walking until you eventually find a sign. And for me, you and SSHS were the signs which told me where I should head to,” she said.
Besides Palacios and Lee, the top 10 SSHS graduates were Genelin Anne Sula Camacho, Trini Deleon Guerrero Macduff, Nicole Cabrera Tesiro, Scott Galanto Cabrera, Mike Dominic Aquino Cruz, Il Ho Kim, Michelle Jenevy Muna Fujihira and Antonette Aldan Castro.
Genelin S. Camacho received the Principal’s and Outstanding Female Graduate Awards.
The Governor’s Award was given to Antonette A. Castro while the Mayor’s Award went to Trini DLG Macduff.
Nicole C. Tesiro got the Parent-Teacher Association Council Award.
The awards were announced by vice principals Jesse M. Tudela and Jocelyn Manibusan, and they were assisted by school counselor Darrah Benavente-Tagabuel.
This year’s graduation ceremony keynote speaker was Francisca C. Bondoc.
Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan, Board of Education Chairwoman Lucia L. Blanco-Maratita, acting Gov. Gov. Eloy S. Inos and other officials led the presentation of awards.
The program was opened with the procession of graduates and the rendition of “Pomp and Circumstance” by the award-winning Manta Band.
Ruby Anne E. Reyes led the singing of the CNMI and national anthems while the SSHS JROTC Manta Ray Battalion presented the posting of colors.
SSHS principal Craig H. Garrison made the welcoming remarks and extended his appreciation to the parents for supporting their children’s education.
Naomi Lynne Cabrera and Eren C. Cepeda were the mistress and master of ceremonies.
