JESSIE Lynn I. Reyes and Aisha Erica M. Lansangan are this year’s top graduates of Saipan Southern High School.
The two were among the 138 seniors who received their diplomas on Tuesday, June 6.
School Principal Vince Dela Cruz, in his remarks, said: “Our school has been winning every year. It has been a tradition for us. We have the winningest teams in outrigger, volleyball, badminton, and others.”
He added, “We make these activities available to our students because the more students participate, the more it is healthier for our school.”
Dela Cruz said the Class of 2023 “is no exception. We have outstanding students, most competitive students, and high achieving students.”
Valedictorian Jessie Lynn I. Reyes received the Board of Education Academic Excellence Award from BOE Chairman Antonio L. Borja, Secretary/Treasurer Gregory Pat Borja, Member Maisie B. Tenorio, Member Andrew L. Orsini and Teacher Representative Dr. Dora B. Miura, who is also a faculty member of SSHS.
Salutatorian Aisha Erica M. Lansangan received the Commissioner of Education Academic Award from Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada, who was with his key management team members.
Completing the top 10: (3) Jasmine Jaylyn C. John, (4) Marion John R. Sayas, (5) Adrian Jay A. Manalang, (6) Leeza Marie M. Ngitiyeb, (7) Michael Jermain Junya S. Peters, (8) Andrea Rose T. Ramos, (9) Dianna Marie P. Catigan and Alpha Joyce F. Sagun; and (10) Alyssa Rae D. David.
Honorable mention: Andrew Bailey A. Sunderland.
Other awards
The Governor’s Award was presented to Jessie Lynn I. Reyes, the class valedictorian.
The Lt. Governor’s Award was presented to Adrian Jay A. Manalang.
The Mayor’s Award was presented to Julius Torres.
The Principal’s Leadership Award was presented to Jasmine John.
The Manta Spirit Award was presented to Alika Celis.
The SSHS Presidential Gold Award was presented to 28 seniors: Jessie Lynn I. Reyes, Andrew Bailey A. Sunderland, Aisha Erica M. Lansangan, Jasmine Jaylyn C. John, Marion John R. Sayas, Adrian Jay A. Manalang, Leeza Marie M. Ngitiyeb, Michael Jermain Junya S. Peters, Andrea Rose T. Ramos, Dianna Marie P. Catigan, Alpha Joyce F. Sagun, Alyssa Rae D. David, Queenie Marie G. Malinay, Kamille Christabelle C. Razon, Jeselle M. Falalimpa, Esther Y. Wang, Jerriz M. Castro, Reef Jason S. Cabrera, Jia Hao Chen, Joshua A. Viloria, Bheatriz Allyson C. Ramirez, Jasper Junio T. Saures, Diviane Neline Dilbung T. Tudela, Bobbie Jean R. Ayuyu, En H. Chi, Anthony K. Villagomez, Elijah Joshua D. Garcia, and Julius Edrine L. Torres
The SSHS Presidential Silver Award went to the following seniors: Jhan Arewhy S. Valienta, Rumiko Magdalena G. Ichihara, Mhel Jay I. Viloria, Maesha A. Dela Cruz, Ron Angel A. Patricio, Judy Ann L. Andebor, Christina Ngelkes A. Atalig, Chariz D. Pasaylo, Lana Antonia A. Sunderland, Natasha Marie White, Brandies Alexis Matsumoto, John Benedict N. Kintol, Isaiah Crispin R. Sablan, Jane Min Jin, John Lloyd P. Tuquero, Eddie William T. Sablan, Cristine Joy S. Fernandez, John Paul L. Garcia, Shailyn Mae D. Albay, Hombre M. Hocog, Neriah Nicole P. Lumbad, Zoya Brianna Neibwilpi T. Rebuenog, Jun D. Li, Frankye Francesca A. Ada, Matz Zhander G. Catindig, Ana Maria Taisacan, Somaia Akter, Cleaon Otto R. Pacho, Niralynn Ann M. Cabrera, Jociv C. Tuquero, Elyna Collete N. Deleon Guerrero, Mechaella Faye S. De Ramos, Alexander P. Guevarra, Josephine Nicole F. Villagomez, Deveney Ann Kirsten M. Castro, Chelsea Nicole R. Soriente, Kathyryn Tionie S. Sablan, Rachel Ann L. Ramon, Alfonso S. Taitano, Forres Trevor T. Pangelinan, Shirley Feng, and Mitch Karl R. Sayas.
Plans
The senior exit survey for the Class of 2023 disclosed that 41.3% or 57 students will pursue a four-year college degree.
• 28.2% or 39 students will attend a two-year college program.
• 4.3% or six students will attend a vocational/technical/trade school.
• 20.2% or 28 students will work full time.
• 34.7% or 48 students will “work part time.”
• 3.6% or five students will sign up for an apprenticeship program.
• 18.8% or 26 students will join the military.
• 6.5% or nine students didn’t indicate their after-high school plans.
Worth it
Class valedictorian Jessie Lynn Reyes said the community contributed to her success. “Thank you to everyone I’ve ever met in my life…I am standing here today because of you guys. You’ve taught me that the community builds the person,” she said in her speech.
“Throughout these 12 years you’ve likely gone through many ups and downs. I don’t think I’d be who I am now without my downs. Wondering if all I’m doing is good enough, asking myself am I good enough, and if waking up in the morning was really worth it. I wondered what’s the use of school and learning geometry. But as I stand at this podium today, it was worth it. To see you all here today. To see everyone I love in one place makes me realize that it was all worth the blood, sweat and tears. Graduates, I want you all to look around at your friends, the teachers who’ve taught you, and into the crowd at the people who’ve come here today just for you. Now I want you all to look at me.”
She thanked her family for their support. “I hope this one achievement will show how hard I’ve been working all my life and that everything I do has a reason.”
She thanked her teachers and SSHS “for making a difference in my life.”
Surprise
In her speech, Aisha Lansangan noted that she didn’t tell her family and friends that she was graduating number two.
“I’m sorry…I kept this from you. I wanted to surprise you guys,” she said. “You guys pushed me to try hard, and school would have been one dull, depressogenic place without your presence. Thank you for supporting me throughout my journey and sticking with me even during the lowest points of my life. To those of you who will still be in high school, good luck, and I’ll be watching over you.”
She also thanked her school club, Interact, “for giving me the opportunity to help my community.”
She likewise thanked her family members who are in the Philippines.
“I miss and love you all so much,” she said.
She thanked her mother, Salip Maerilyn Mohammad, “for everything — you are my inspiration, my hope, and so much more than words can describe.”
Life’s lessons
BOE Chairman Antonio L. Borja, in his remarks, said the Class of 2023’s theme, “Wherever you go, go with all your heart” has been their “guiding principle throughout your time at Saipan Southern High School. It’s an enduring lesson that encourages us to fully invest in every endeavor we undertake, to infuse our actions with passion, and to lead our lives with purpose.”
He added, “Life’s vast ocean awaits you. Approach it as a manta ray would — with strength, grace, and a heart full of determination. You are our future leaders and innovators.” The manta ray is the school’s mascot.
Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada, in his remarks, advised the graduating students “to be flexible in your thinking, and seek to learn something new, and diversify your experience.”
“When you stop learning, you stop growing as a person,” he added. “Treat every experience as a learning experience. The learning experiences that I’ve had in these past few years as your commissioner helped shape my thinking on how to address learning, health, and safety in our school district. Can you imagine what would have happened if we were not flexible in adapting to change like we did throughout the typhoons and pandemic? As we have seen during this past year, the problems are going to get more and more complex, and we will need people like you to be creative and improvise new solutions to these complex issues.”
The top 10 graduates of Saipan Southern High School’s Class of 2023: (1) Jessie Lynn I. Reyes, (2) Aisha Erica M. Lansangan, 3) Jasmine Jaylyn C. John, (4) Marion John R. Sayas, (5) Adrian Jay A. Manalang, (6) Leeza Marie M. Ngitiyeb, (7) Michael Jermain Junya S. Peters, (8) Andrea Rose T. Ramos, (9) Dianna Marie P. Catigan and Alpha Joyce F. Sagun, (10) Alyssa Rae D. David, and honorable mention Andrew Bailey A. Sunderland.
Class Valedictorian and Board of Education Academic Award recipient Jessie Lynn I. Reyes and her family with BOE Chairman Antonio L. Borja, Secretary/Treasurer Gregory Pat Borja, Member Maisie B. Tenorio, Member Andrew L. Orsini and Teacher Representative Dr. Dora B. Miura.
Class Salutatorian and Commissioner of Education Academic Excellence Award recipient Aisha Erica M. Lansangan and her mother with Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada and Public School System officials Lorraine Catienza, Lucretia Deleon Guerrero, Dr. Yvonne R. Pangelinan, Arlene Lizama, Randee-Jo Barcinas-Manglona, Dr. Rizalina Liwag and Shawn San Nicholas.
The SHSS Class of 2023.
The Governor’s Leadership Award recipient, class valedictorian Jessie Lynn I. Reyes, with Gov. Arnol I. Palacios’ Special Assistant for Administration Oscar M. Babauta.
The Lt. Governor’s Award was presented to Adrian Jay A. Manalang by Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang himself.
The Principal’s Leadership Award was presented to Jasmine John by Principal Vince Dela Cruz and Vice Principal Arisa Sakai Peters.
