Francisco Aldan-Sablan poses with parents, Joaquin C. Taitano and Manuela A. Sablan, after graduating from Sahuaro High School in Arizona on May 23, 2024.
A SON of Saipan residents was honored by the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Marine Corps for his athletic excellence.
Born in Portland, Oregon, 17-year-old Francisco Aldan-Sablan is the son of Manuela A. Sablan-Taitano and Joaquin C. Taitano. His grandparents are Frank Sablan and former Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan.
Aldan-Sablan, who graduated from Sahuaro High School in Arizona on May 23, 2024, is a recipient of a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition awarded to him by U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani in honor of his athletic excellence at Sahuaro High School.
From the U.S. Marine Corps, he received a Distinguished Athlete Award for displaying courage, poise, self-confidence and leadership as a high school athlete, as well as his sportsmanship on and off the baseball field.
Aldan-Sablan, who was the shortstop, second baseman and catcher for the Cougars in high school baseball, also received an athletic scholarship and an opportunity to play baseball for Dickinson State University.
The Corpus Christi Youth Service Scholarship was also awarded to him by Fr. Christopher Orndoff for his active youth service in his parish church and his community.
In an email interview, Aldan-Sablan said he is beyond grateful to be receiving the awards.
He would also like to thank many people — his dad for pushing him and reminding him every day what hard work and dedication can do for him, and his mom for being so strong, loving and caring for everyone in the family.
He is also thankful to his brothers for constantly finding ways to put a smile on his face, even when times get hard.
“I would also like to thank my grandparents for always supporting me throughout my athletic career,” Aldan-Sablan said.
“I think what pushes me most is knowing where I come from and who I’m representing every time I walk onto that field or into that classroom. Another thing that’ll help you is having a strong support system who truly loves and cares about you, as well as being dedicated to what you want to do every day,” he said.
Aldan-Sablan said in the fall, he will be attending Dickinson State University in Dickinson, North Dakota, on a baseball scholarship. He intends to pursue his athletic and academic career and obtain a degree in Sports Management Business.
“I hope to grow and work harder each and every day to reach my dream of playing professional baseball in the Major League Baseball,” said Aldan-Sablan.
