Tanapag Middle School Principal Hilda Rios, sixth right, poses for a photo with teachers and Guam-CNMI Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve State Committee officials after receiving the Patriot Award on Monday.
TANAPAG Middle School Principal Hilda Rios received the Patriot Award from the Guam-CNMI Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve State Committee on Monday.
Rios was meeting with teachers when ESGR Area Chair Dr. Rita A. Sablan, Ombudsman Joann Aquino, and Employer Outreach Coordinator Rose Igitol surprised her with the award.
Rios was nominated by U.S. Army Reservist Jesse Arriola, who said the principal supports him, regardless of workplace conditions, whenever he receives last-minute active orders from his unit.
He said it means a lot to him because he has to go on duty on very short notice.
Rios said whenever Arriola receives an order to go on duty, she tells him to be safe and to “make sure you come back.”
Sablan stated that on behalf of the Department of Defense, the ESGR State Committee executive director and the national chair, they were presenting the Patriot Award to Rios for contributing to national security and protecting liberty and freedom by supporting employees’ participation in the National Guard and Reserve.
