Youth Sen. Angela H. Mamaril of Grace Christian Academy introduced Y.C. Resolution 13-2, which recognizes John Edward M. Elenzano and the members of the National Forensic League team who participated in the recently held NFL National Tournament.
Elenzano, a recent high school graduate of Mount Carmel School, placed first in the storytelling event of the competition — the first CNMI student to top a national competition.
Youth Sen. Audrey Joy Ada of Marianas High School introduced the second resolution, Y.C. Resolution 13-2, which “encourages” the timely disbursement of scholarship checks from the Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance and the Department of Finance.
“The unfortunate delay in SHEFA scholarship disbursements creates an unfortunate barrier to many of the Saipan students, including the inability to purchase books, to clear tuition fees, and to complete enrollment for the next term,” Ada said.
“There are a lot of anger and emotion in the community. People are going to the [SHEFA office] and asking for their checks. This affects me, my friends, and our future,” she told Variety.
Rep. Ramon A. Tebuteb, who witnessed the session, applauded the youth senators for their “commitment to the youth.”
“Lead in a way that is good for the youth and for the commonwealth,” he told the youth senators.
He also asked them to consider H.R. 1466, which he said, deals with “serious long-term youth matters.”
“Do not fear your opinions and do what you believe is right,” he added.
Introduced by Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan in the U.S. House of Representatives, H.R. 1466 will grant CNMI-only status to certain nonresidents, including parents of U.S. citizen children.
