At a recognition ceremony attended by CNMI Public School System teachers and students who are a part of the Swim For Life program, eight individuals received their American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certifications.
The ceremony occurred on Friday, September 22nd at the Pacific Islands Club.
Newly certified water safety instructors are:
April Mangolna, Jonathan Manglona, Lia Rangamar, Kuen Hee Han, Alisa Baquilles, Tiana San Nicolas, Roland San Nicolas, and Jodene Sablan.
Ronnie Calvo and Mack James, from Rota, were members of the last cohort of water safety instructors certified by the Swim For Life Program who were on island to pick up their certifications.
Also recognized was Roy Adsit, who is a newly certified water safety instructor trainer. With Atsidt’s new certification, the Swim For Life program has an on-island trainer available to certify more American Red Cross certified Water Safety Instructors. The program had previously flew in off-island trainers to conduct water safety classes.
According to the American Red Cross website, the Water Safety Instructors course “trains instructor candidates to teach all of the courses presented in the Swimming and Water Safety program to all age groups.”
In order to become a Water Safety Instructor, candidates engage in hours of water safety instruction in a classroom setting, and also have practical application of their skills in a pool. There, the candidates demonstrate their knowledge of specific swimming strokes and also simulate the classes they will create in the future, all while receiving feedback from their instructor.
Swim For Life Program Coordinator Jeremiah Benevente told the Variety that the program will be incorporated into the CNMI PSS curriculum under the Mental Health and Wellness program.
For his part, Adsit said more Water Safety Instructors is good for the community.
“It’s important to look at the name WSI–water safety instructor,” Adsit said. “It’s all about keeping the kids safe. We are surrounded by water, we’re an island.”
Adsit also said that Swim For Life is doing its part to help students feel connected to the ocean.
“When I got here I was amazed that people didn’t swim,” Adsit said. “But [Swim For Life] is also helping build that connection with the ocean, of being comfortable in the water, swimming, enjoying yourself, being part of the ocean. And that is so important to Micornesia because this is a water culture. We’re helping reawaken that in the kids.”
According to the organization’s website, the Swim For Life program is “dedicated to teaching islander youth water safety and lifesaving skills in order to reduce drownings in the CNMI.”
From Left
Nicholas Gross, CNMI PSS Director of Athletic Program; Ronnie Calvo, Jonathan Manglona, Mack James, April Manglona, Kuen Hee Han, Desirie Reyes, Chelsea Yangirelfil, Roy Adsit, Val Welch, and Jeremiah Benevente.
