ARGUING for overturning affirmative action in college admissions, Mount Carmel School senior Jill Anne Mallari topped the 37th Attorney General’s Cup speech competition on Friday, May 5, 2023, at the Guma Hustisia.
This year’s competition focused on affirmative action in higher education, which is an issue before the U.S. Supreme Court.
“My speech argued that we are forgetting the original intent which is affirmative equity,” Mallari said in an interview Monday.
“It’s not just about equality or diversity, but it’s about equity and helping those who are not necessarily in that position to excel,” she added.
“While affirmative action has opened doors of opportunity for some, underlying injustices have persisted and even worsened with affirmative action,” she said in her speech.
One of her coaches, Zeno Deleon Guerrero, who teaches English and AP Government and Politics at MCS, himself won the AG’s Cup in 2017.
Deleon Guerrero said for this year’s competition, their position is that the original intent of affirmative action was “equity and justice, to correct slavery, segregation; but right now, affirmative action is just about diversity — bringing in different people, and somehow bringing them in will solve the problem, but it does not solve the problem.”
Deleon Guerrero noted that this is MCS’ 20th win since the inception of the AG’s Cup in 1986.
“I think it’s a testament to the forensics and speech program that we have here at MCS,” he said. “We have many alumni who have graduated, working in top positions in the CNMI government and business establishments and being leaders in the community….and a lot of that comes from the speaking ability that they cultivated here at our school,” he added.
“We are always excited to bring the AG’s Cup back home. It’s a history that we cherish and honor,” Deleon Guerrero said.
Mallari’s other coaches were MCS Director of Institutional Development Victoria C. Deleon Guerrero, who won the AG’s Cup in 2012, and former MCS President Galvin S. Deleon Guerrero, Ed.D., who is now president of Northern Marianas College.
“Whether working on the stage, on a film, or at the lectern, I have always appreciated the opportunity to help students find their voice,” Dr. Deleon Guerrero said. “This year, I was honored to coach Jill along with two former students and AG Cup winners, Zeno and Victoria, both of whom I coached back in the day. And as an educator, I am always impressed by all the student speakers and the valuable insights they bring every time to the compelling issues of our day.”
In this year’s competition, Mylan Goodwin of Marianas High School placed second while Jesus Sablan of Saipan International School finished third.
The competitors who received honorable mentions, in no particular order, were the following:
– Ainsley Ancheta of Tinian Jr./Sr. High School.
– Danielle Kaye Formalejo of Saipan Southern High School.
– Lisa Marie Agulto of Kagman High School.
Jill Anne Mallari of Mount Carmel School and one of her coaches, Zeno Deleon Guerrero, MCS English teacher, pose with the perpetual AG’s Cup which Mallari won on Friday.
