TINIAN (PSS) — The 30 Tinian High School seniors in the Class of 2025 will soon head off to college, join the U.S. armed forces or explore career opportunities.
During their graduation ceremony on Thursday, June 5, their valedictorian, Stephanie Espartero Diaz, received the Board of Education Academic Excellence Award from BOE Chairman Aschumar Kodep Ogumoro-Uludong, BOE Vice Chairman Anthony DLC Barcinas, BOE Secretary/Treasurer Anthony L. Barcinas, and BOE Member Andrew L. Orsini.
Class salutatorian Ysabella Nikonia Rita Villagomez Palacios. received the Commissioner of Education Academic Excellence Award from Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho and other Public School System officials.
The rest of the top 10 graduates are (3) Jaydoria Rolliana Palacios Cruz, (4) Sofia Allyssa Balagtas Del Rosario, (5) Jasper Manibusan Borja Jr., (6) Annabel Ashtyn Reyes Kiyoshi, (7) Hong Sheng Zhang, (8) Noah Richard Sakisat Cepeda, (9) Abiel Bawalan Erickson, and (10) Abbygaile Matias Ong.
The National Honor Society Pillar Awards were presented to four students for demonstrating excellence in character, scholarship, leadership, and service: Sofia Allyssa Balagtas Del Rosario (Character), Stephanie Espartero Diaz (Scholarship), Ysabella Nikonia Rita Villagomez Palacios (Leadership), and Jaydoria Rolliana Palacios Cruz (Service).
Other awards
The Governor’s Leadership Award was presented to valedictorian Stephanie Espartero Diaz by Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and first lady Wella Palacios.
The Lieutenant Governor’s Leadership Award was presented to salutatorian Ysabella Nikonia Rita Villagomez Palacios by Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang’s chief of staff, Henry Hofschneider.
The Mayor of Tinian and Aguiguan Award was presented to Jaydoria Rolliana Palacios Cruz by Mayor Edwin Aldan along with the members of the island’s legislative delegation and municipal council.
Ysabella Nikonia Rita Villagomez Palacios is also the recipient of the Outstanding Female Graduate Award, which was presented by first lady Wella Palacios and Special Assistant for Women’s Affairs Barbara Sablan.
The PTSA Award went to Mefi KJ Sanchez Norech-Lazaro.
The Principal’s School Leadership Award recipient is Annabel Ashtyn Reyes Kiyoshi.
The Tinian Municipal Council Award was presented to Sofia Allyssa Balagtas Del Rosario.
Tinian’s future
BOE Chairman Aschumar Kodep Ogumoro-Uludong, in his remarks, celebrated the graduating students and their role in the future growth of Tinian.
“At this critical juncture in the CNMI, Tinian is at the forefront of some big things that are taking place, and each of you will be a part of that as sons and daughters of this island,” he said.
“As you step into the world beyond college, career, or service, carry with you the strength of your heritage — you’re ready to shape the future and your family is proud of you, your courage, and purpose,” the BOE chairman said.
“Becoming the best version of yourself comes with a lot of goodbyes. You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do,” he added.
He also spoke about the importance of self-motivation. “Ships that wait for the perfect winds never set sail. Sometimes you must go to war with yourself to fix yourself.”
He also encouraged the graduates not to be afraid of starting anew. “Don’t be scared to start over. Your life story may read better.”
He ended his remarks by sharing three guiding principles with the graduates: “Always be kind, always be humble, always be grateful, and you’ll never go wrong.”
Lifelong learning
Commissioner of Education Dr. Camacho, in his remarks, praised the Tinian community for guiding the students through their academic journey.
He noted “the work that they do, and what they endured and sacrificed with you — your parents and this community —to be who you are today — high school graduates.”
Camacho touched on this year’s graduation theme: “The sky is not the limit; it’s just the beginning.”
“What does that mean to you? Perhaps you’re that person who wants to climb up to that mountain, and nobody will stop you from climbing to the top,” he said.
He noted that everyone is a lifelong learner. “When you get to the top, it is you who will see the clearness of things from the peak. So, take that first step and never turn back,” he added.
Camacho encouraged the graduates to continue their pursuit of education beyond high school and to contribute to the development of the Tinian community.
“Don’t be that person who won’t climb that mountain. Be a lifelong learner; continue to do well. Come back to the island of Tinian and support this society to grow and advance. That’s what we want you to be,” he said.
Just like that
Class valedictorian Diaz, in her address, said, “Today is a day of celebration, but also a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come.”
“For years, we’ve watched other classes walk across this stage, imagining what our own moment would feel like. We counted down the tests, group projects, all-nighters, and late nights, asking, ‘Did we even do it right?’ And just like that, we’ve stepped into the moment that once felt so far away,” Diaz said.
She said “high school isn’t just about big moments we remember or the milestones captured in photos. It’s about everything in between. Sometimes we made thoughtful choices, and other times we just followed a feeling. But all of those moments — whether quiet or defining — shaped us into who we are today.”
She added, “There’s a quote that’s stayed with me: ‘You are one decision away from a completely different life.’ We don’t always recognize the weight of these moments while we’re living them. But looking back, we can see how those little decisions added up and shaped who we’ve become.”
“We are not just the Class of 2025,” she said. “We are the result of every teacher who believed in us, every friend who stood by us, and every family member who never stopped cheering us on.”
Right now
Class Salutatorian Palacios, in her address, said, “Somewhere between the immaturity, between freshmen year and the working days of our senior year, we all grew up. We became so busy living for tomorrow and dwelling on the past that we forgot to live in the present, right here, right now. But I’m here to remind you to slow down and take a look at how far you have come…it wasn’t easy. Some of us gave up our childhood to support our families; others worked diligently to create a better future for themselves. Some did both,” she said.
“You…have given up so much just to sit here at this ceremony today. You all proved that life goes on and that days will get brighter through your resilience and determination. That kind of strength doesn’t come from comfort; it comes from showing up, even when everything in you wants to quit. And still, you found ways to keep hope alive. That’s what makes this class unforgettable.
“If these last four years have shown us anything, it’s that we’re capable of more than we ever thought. And whatever comes next, I know we’ve got what it takes to face it, whether we’re in it together or going our separate ways,” she said.
The top 10 graduates of Tinian High School’s Class of 2025 pose for a photo with education officials: (1) Stephanie Espartero Diaz, (2) Ysabella Nikonia Rita Villagomez Palacios, (3) Jaydoria Rolliana Palacio Cruz, (4) Sofia Allyssa Balagtas Del Rosario, (5) Jasper Manibusan Borja, Jr., (6) Annabel Ashtyn Reyes Kiyoshi, (7) Hong Sheng Zhang, (8) Noah Richard Sakisat Cepeda, (9) Abiel Bawalan Erickson, and (10) Abbygaile Matias Ong.
Class of 2025 valedictorian and Board of Education Academic Excellence Award recipient Stephanie Espartero Diaz poses for a photo with her parents, BOE Chairman Aschumar Kodep Ogumoro-Uludong, BOE Vice Chairman Anthony DLC Barcinas, BOE Secretary/Treasurer Antonio L. Borja, and BOE Member Andrew L. Orsini.
Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho presents the Commissioner of Education Academic Excellence Award to class salutatorian Ysabella Nikonia Rita Villagomez Palacios.
