Errico Enterprises president Eric Cruz yesterday handed a check in the amount of $1,080 to the six children who will be leaving for Japan to represent Saipan in the Awa Odori Festival on Aug. 21.
Cruz said a portion of the money came from the 40,000 pounds of scrap iron, some of which were donated by Continental Airlines.
“We are happy to show our support to the students, and we are also thankful to Continental Airlines because despite their suspension of their Saipan-Manila flights, they still donated scrap materials for us to recycle and sell,” Cruz said.
Trip organizer Mizako Kamata of the Paseo de Marianas Promoters Inc. told the Variety that the six dance troupe members will have a chance to witness over 70 groups of top performers during the Awao Odori Festival.
The six students were chosen for their dancing talents —Norman and Freemen Defang, Bernadette You, Jinky and James Kintaro Jr. and Ronald Fitipol.
Kamata and Hideaki Sawada will accompany the students to Japan.
The students’ accommodations have already been taken cared of, but they had to conduct fundraising activities for their transportation expenses and allowance.
Kamata said the study trip will be a memorable experience for the children.
Awa Odori takes place during the Buddhist observance of O-bon, when the spirits of the dead are believed to return to their ancestral homes.
The students were also given a tour of the Errico Enterprises recycling plant yesterday.
