“She might end up going back here,” he told Variety, referring to his daughter Katelyn who is now at Pennsylvania University to begin her pre-medicine studies.
His daughter, he said, was denied of the CNMI Honor Scholarship Grant despite meeting all the requirements, qualifications and criteria for the program.
Alpino said he already sent letters to different CNMI officials and agencies including Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan, the Rota legislative delegation and the CNMI Scholarship Board.
Within this week, he told Variety, if nothing happens he will resort to legal action against the CNMI Scholarship Office.
Last week, he said he already sought advice from the Micronesia Legal Services Corp. which told him it will send a letter to explain in greater detail why MLSC will not be able to assist Alpino.
Last week, he said he informed Rota lawmakers about the issue.
“How did this happen? This is insane…my daughter graduated as valedictorian yet how come she had the lowest GPA? There’s something wrong. There’s error, manipulation or misconduct at Rota High School personnel,” his letter stated.
His daughter also attended Rota Junior High School and Grace Christian Academy.
She has received numerous honors and awards throughout her high school years and was elected to various top positions in different school organizations and clubs.
She was the president of the National Honor Society and was the class valedictorian in June 2011 for having earned the highest grade point average.
On Aug. 11, Alpino said he received the denial letter dated July 28 from the CNMI Scholarship Office stating that his daughter was not selected but “without any reason.”
The scholarship is regulated by the CNMI Honor Scholarship Act, 3 CMC §1342. It awards the top graduates of the senior classes a maximum of $15,000 in college scholarships for each academic year up to five years.
A week after receiving the denial letter, Alpino said he called the scholarship office to verify if the letter of approval had already been sent but Jackie Che, the office’s new administrator, told him the letter would be sent by Aug. 22 or 23.
“I think my daughter was deprived of what is due to her and is being discriminated,” his letter to Che stated.
As of press time, he had not received any letter from the scholarship office.
His daughter needs a letter from the scholarship office so she can present it to the university for reference payment purposes, Alpino said.
He learned that the board awarded the scholarships to the salutatorian Pauline M. Manglona and to Crystal Calvo, who ranked third.
On Aug. 25, Alpino said he was informed by Che about the result of the board meeting.
Che told Alpino that Katelyn’s GPA as reported by Rota High School was lower than the grade of the salutatorian and the third honor students.
On Aug. 29, Alpino said he called again the scholarship office to inquire if they had talked with the principal of Rota High School.
There was no answer, and he was advised by Che that a letter was sent to the Board of Education.
Alpino said he is still waiting for a call from BOE.
On Sept. 6, he said he received an email from Charley Kenty of the Public School System stating they have assigned Donna Flores to review his complaint.
