“Today is a youth leadership convention. All schools are here from Tinian, Rota and Saipan junior high and high school,” said Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan.
Hopwood Junior High School principal Jonas Barcinas and student representative to the Board of Education Francine Babauta started with the opening remarks.
The commissioner welcomed everyone present and thanked them for coming.
Sablan talked about the importance of youth mentoring and strengthening relationships among the youth, between the youth, and adults.
She said youth mentoring helps a child develop socially and mentally.
“We cannot do it alone, we need parents and community partners,” she said.
Christine Masga, AmeriCorps Program coordinator, discussed the importance of service and volunteerism among the youth.
Babauta talked about constructive projects for the students while PSS legal counsel Kelley Butcher tackled bullying on campus.
A roundtable discussion on school-level Youth Advisory Panel activities followed and was led by Associate Education Commissioner for Instructional Services Jackie Quitugua, assisted by the panel advisors and school leadership.
“The intent of the conference today is to train the Youth Advisory Panel to be leaders of the schools and campuses so they can implement the three goals of the panel: youth mentoring, service and volunteerism, and giving back to the community,” said Sablan.
The PSS Parents Summit will be held today, Dec. 11, at the same venue and will begin at 10 a.m.
