SAND Wear the Sun Don’t Shine on Saturday topped the sand sculpting competition at the Sandy Beach Homes beach in Chalan Kanoa.
Held in celebration of the 2024 CNMI Ocean Month and hosted by the Division of Coastal Resource Management, the contest drew four teams whose members are 15 years old and above in the Alu’u Division; one team in the Gamsun Division for youths 10 years old to 14 years old; and one team in the Haggan Division for kids five years old to nine years old.
Sand Wear the Sun Don’t Shine garnered 15.6 points to best the other teams in the Alu’u Division: Umang Gang, which earned 15 points; Diva Divers, 14.3 points; and Tasi Squad, 13.6 points.
The lone team in the Gamsun Division was the Ocean Friends, who took the division title with 15 points, while the lone team in the Haggan Division was the Little Sirenas, who notched 14.33 points.
The teams built castles or other structures out of sand and ocean water. Their entries were judged based on neatness, creativity, detail and theme.
Each of the winning teams received $50 cash, donated by the CNMI Ocean Month Committee, DCRM Director Richard Salas and local environmental steward Felix S. Reyes.
In addition, all the participants received swag giveaways such as reusable shopping bags, plastic jewelry made of recycled materials, beach towels, reusable pendants, plates and insulated lunch boxes.
CNMI Ocean Month co-chair and DCRM Communications Director Colleen Flores said it was their fourth annual celebration of the CNMI Ocean Month, but it was the first time they opened the sculpting competition to the public.
Last year, the competition was for Camp Magalahi, and the year before that, it was held in collaboration with the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library Summer Camp.
Flores said they hope that this year’s open competition will encourage more participation next year and in the years to come.
DCRM Communication Coordinator Joseph Nekaifes, who is also the CNMI Ocean Month Committee co-chair, said the sculpting competition was the highlight of this year’s CNMI Ocean Month celebration.
Sand Wear the Sun Don’t Shine team members pose next to their winning sand sculpture during the Division of Coastal Resources Management Sand Sculpting Competition on Sandy Beach Homes beach on Saturday.
The Little Sirenas topped the Haggan Division.
The Ocean Friends ruled the Gamsun Division.
