EDUCATION officials and the students themselves described the 41 Tinian High School seniors who graduated on Saturday as the most “tested” batch as they had to experience a super typhoon, a global pandemic and the threat of another typhoon, which led to the rescheduling of their commencement program initially set for May 22, 2023.
This year’s class valedictorian is Ryan Michael Achacoso Nuera who is also the recipient of the Board of Education Academic Excellence Award, which was presented by BOE Chairman Antonio L. Borja and BOE Member Maisie B. Tenorio.
Nuera was also presented with a special BOE award for his service as student representative to the policymaking and governing body of the Public School System. Nuera was appointed as student representative to the BOE last year.
The class salutatorian and Commissioner of Education Academic Excellence awardee is Saim Ali. Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada, with interim PSS Federal Programs Officer Jacqueline Che and interim Instructional Technical and Distance Education Program Director Lorraine Catienza, presented the award.
Joining Nuera and Ali in the top 10 are: (10) Gio Palmitos Vergara; (9) Jun Jie Luo; (8) Christian Carlo Libut Sanchez; (7) Chad Andrei Llanora Acollador; (6) Ismail Imran Veri Hossain; (5) Guillermina Rose Cruz San Nicolas; (4) Hazel Anne Pablo Mabansag, and (3) Isa Liana King Reyes.
Valedictorian Nuera is also the recipient of the Governor’s Award while Ciara Gabrielle Barcinas Santos is the Lt. Governor’s Award recipient.
Salutatorian Saim Ali is this year’s Mayor’s Award recipient.
The Outstanding Female Graduate Award was presented to Isa Liana King Reyes.
For their part, THS Principal Liz Perzinski and Vice Principal Nikita Mendiola presented the Principal’s School Leadership Award to Hazel Anne Pablo Mabansag.
The PTSA awardee is Chad Andrei Llanora Acollador.
Filled with gratitude
In his valedictorian address, Nuera said he is proud of his class for their strength and resiliency.
“I am filled with gratitude, awe, and admiration for each one of you. We have endured hardships that have tested our spirit, but it is through these challenges that we have truly discovered our strength, resilience, and unwavering determination. Our class went through a super typhoon, a pandemic, and many other things, yet we stand here together, and I just want to say I’m proud of each one of you,” Nuera said.
He also expressed his appreciation to his school teachers and staff who were his “guiding light…providing us with knowledge, wisdom, and unwavering support.”
“Through the relentless storms and trials we faced, a literal typhoon, your dedication to our education never wavered. Whether it was the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yutu or the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic, you worked tirelessly to ensure that we continued to learn and grow. You showed us that education knows no boundaries, and for that, we are eternally gratefully,” Nuera said.
He honored his fellow graduates “for turn[ing] obstacles into steppingstones, setbacks into comebacks, and challenges into opportunities.”
Nuera also praised salutatorian Ali for being dedicated and hardworking. “You will soar to even greater heights in the future,” Nuera added.
He honored his aunt Japie and his parents for their unwavering support, unconditional love and belief in his abilities. “Thank you for taking care of me and raising me to the person I am today,” he said.
How sweet it is
In his salutatorian address, Ali said he is filled with a great sense of happiness and accomplishment. “To be able to stand here today and claim that we have earned the right to do so, my peers and I had to work very hard over the past four years. It was by no means simple, and there were many times when I worried that the Covid-19 pandemic, which has impacted us all, would prevent me from crossing the finish line. But those difficulties have just enhanced the sweetness of this moment.”
Ali acknowledged all those “that have made a positive impact” on his educational journey.
“I discovered through my high school experience that education is a process that starts at home and continues through school, the workplace, and the rest of the world. Education cannot be accomplished or measured in a single day, a single test, or a single year. It’s a lifelong journey that builds on success in the early stages of learning to create a foundation for learning later,” he said.
Ali thanked “grandma Daria Cing for being my mentor when I first arrived in the CNMI in 2013…[when I was still] starting to learn English…. [She] assisted me in finishing my schoolwork every day. Those experiences laid the foundation for my current academic success.”
Ali said he would not have achieved great things if not for his parents: “Thank you Mom and Dad for the love. Today I look at my life and realize that I’ve achieved great things because of your prayers and good counsel. I have seen the importance of having parents who believed in me before I even knew my own goals. Your good actions and positive words are forever engraved in my heart. Cheers to the greatest parents on earth. To a mom who would do anything to ensure I was comfortable, and to a dad who did everything to provide the best he could — I will forever cherish you guys.”
New generation of leaders
In his address, Board of Education Chairman Antonio L. Borja of Tinian said the graduating class of 2023 is the next generation of leaders.
“I challenge all of you to come back to Tinian after what you have experienced in the real world, and share what you’ve learned. Tinian needs you,” Borja said.
Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada advised the graduates to be “flexible in your thinking, seek to learn something new, and diversify your experiences.”
“Class of 2023, you have a bright future in this new and challenging world. Embrace the opportunities. We look forward to seeing where your adventures will take you, and how each of your will make a difference,” Ada said.
Vice Principal Nikita Mendiola was voted as keynote speaker of the graduating class.
In her remarks, Mendiola encouraged the graduating class to “listen and follow directions, be honest, respect the rights of others, and never stop learning.”
“Now that you’re adults, I want to encourage you to still think of these words and to use them to remind yourselves that you are in control of your own destiny and your success,” Mendiola said.
The top 10 graduates of Tinian High School: (10) Gio Palmitos Vergara; (9) Jun Jie Luo; (8) Christian Carlo Libut Sanchez); (7) Chad Andrei Llanora Acollador; (6) Ismail Imran Veri Hossain; (5) Guillermina Rose Cruz San Nicolas; (4) Hazel Anne Pablo Mabansag; (3) Isa Liana King Reyes; (2) salutatorian Saim Ali; and (1) valedictorian Ryan Micahel Achacoso Nuera are introduced to the public during their commencement program on Saturday. In the background are Board of Education Chairman Antonio L. Borja, BOE Member Maisie B. Tenorio, Commissioner of Education Dr. Aflred B. Ada, Interim Federal Programs Officer Jacqueline Che, Interim Instructional Technology & Distance Education Program Director Lorraine Catienza, THS Principal Liz Perzinski and Vice Principal Nikita Mendiola.
The 41 graduating seniors of Tinian High School’s Class of 2023 with Board of Education Chairman Antonio L. Borja and Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada.
Valedictorian and Board of Education Academic Excellence awardee Ryan Michael Nuera and his parents with BOE Chairman Antonio L. Borja, BOE BOE Member Maisie B. Tenorio and BOE staffers Valerie Malwelbug and Jocelyn Saures. Nuera is also the BOE student representative.
Class of 2023 Salutatorian Saim Ali, with his parents, brother and grandma Daria Cing, receives the Commissioner of Education Academic Excellence Award from Dr. Alfred B. Ada. Also in photo are Interim Federal Programs Officer Jacqueline Che and Interim Instructional Technology and Distance Education Program Director Lorraine Catienza. Ali is also the recipient of the Mayor’s Award.
Tinian Mayor Edwin Aldan presented the Governor’s Award to valedictorian Ryan Michael Nuera.
Ciara Gabrielle Barcinas Santos is the recipient of the Lt. Governor’s Leadership Award. Also in photo are Mayor Edwin Aldan, who presented the award, and her proud mother, educator Dione Santos.
The Outstanding Female Graduate Award was presented to Isa Liana King Reyes.
THS Principal Liz Perzinski and Vice Principal Nikita Mendiola present the Principal’s School Leadership Award to Hazel Anne Pablo Mabansag.
The PTSA Award recipient is Chad Andrei Llanora Acollador.
