After World War II, the NMI became part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands administered by the U.S. on behalf of the United Nations.
For many years, a grand U.N. Day celebration had been part of WSR calendar of events. Founded in 1946, WSR was originally known as Chalan Kanoa Elementary School.
In those years, on U.N. Day, the school principal, teachers and administrative staffers wore traditional attires of different countries. There was also a competition of creative and meaningful performances by student groups.
In the 2004 U.N. Day celebration, then-WSR principal and now Education Commissioner Alfred B. Ada wore Mexican attire while counselor Rebecca J. Flores was in Chinese ensemble as they joined the students to commemorate the occasion.
Teachers and administrative staff of William S. Reyes Elementary School pose for a group photo during the U.N. Day celebration at WSR on Friday. Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano
But 10 years ago, Flores said the outdoor celebration ceased and was incorporated in classroom activities.
Flores said they tried to bring back the outdoor celebration in 2018, but Super Typhoon Yutu devastated the school. They planned to give it another try last year, but Typhoon Hagibis prevented them from doing so.
This year, even without the presence of students, WSR celebrated the special day, school principal Lynn Mendiola said.
Miniature flags of U.N. member countries were displayed on campus as teachers sang the U.N. song on stage.
The video taken during the event was shared online with the students on Tuesday.
“It’s great that we are able to celebrate despite the situation we are in,” Mendiola said.
She noted that a lot of people today don’t really know that the U.N. charter includes provisions that protect the students’ right to education, and right to play and enjoy their childhood. “And that is one thing I really like about U.N.,” she added.
The U.S. is the largest donor to the U.N. Moreover, the U.N. headquarters in New York City sits on 16 acres of land purchased with a donation of $8 million (which today is worth over $100 million) made in 1946 by an American financier and philanthropist, John D. Rockefeller Jr.
WSR librarian Arthur Sondheim, for his part, said the U.N. played an important role in shaping the future of the CNMI.
“Shaping peace together” was the theme of this year’s U.N. Day celebration, Flores said, adding that the school wants students to learn how to settle conflicts through peaceful ways.
She said the school activities celebrating U.N. Day highlighted social and emotional learning, developing personal awareness, self-regulation and emotional management.
The Covid-19 restrictions should not stop people from supporting one another, she added.
