WHAT began as a spark of inspiration one afternoon during my 4th-period class grew into one of the greatest learning experiences for my students and me. On Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022, over a hundred U.S. Government & Economics students from Marianas High School visited the Governor’s Office and the Legislature, both the House and the Senate. Our mission was to visit both the Executive and Legislative branches and learn first-hand from the elected officials of our Commonwealth about the important work of running our government.
When we met Gov. Ralph Torres in his conference room, he greeted us and welcomed us to take a seat at his table. My students were feeling shy, but once settled, he briefly introduced himself and talked about how he got started in his 15-year political career. He brought up Article XII of the CNMI Constitution which limits the permanent and long-term land acquisition of fixed property to those of Northern Marianas Descent. He asked students their thoughts about it, then explained the importance of protecting and preserving the land because it is one of our natural resources that cannot grow. He gave examples of a few nations of the Pacific region and their approach to land rights and ownership, then gave various solutions for any of Article XII’s disadvantages. Then, we proceeded to an open forum where students could ask him any questions they had. A few of my students’ questions resembled those asked in the gubernatorial debate. However, many questions were on various topics that the students care about, such as public services, infrastructure, economy, public parks, his career accomplishments, and challenges, as well as controversial issues. Governor Torres took his time to answer every question as best as he could, even the ones that were controversial and that students felt too shy to ask. For questions about public services and projects, he provided clear and concise information and timelines. He was very helpful, open, and frank. Finally, Governor Torres shared some advice that helped him succeed as the youngest governor in the United States and Commonwealth history: “Follow your passion in life and don’t let anyone stop you from doing it.” He also stressed the importance of establishing a positive support system to help the youth succeed: “Surround yourself with positive people and include your family on your journey.”
After the forum, we all took a group photo with the Governor while two students in our school’s video production class were given a tour of the Governor’s media room by his media staff. Finally, staffers gave everyone a red lunch bag filled with a donut, egg sandwich, chicken kelaguen wrap, and water. This meant a lot to me as a field trip coordinator because I was concerned about any thirsty and hungry students. Acts of kindness such as this show a person’s heart and Governor Torres was kind, hospitable, and generous to all of us. By the end of our meeting, my students’ faces were full of smiles as they shook hands and took selfies with the Governor before heading out the door.
On the short walk to the Legislature, my students walked with a bounce in their steps, full of excitement and appreciation. The truth is that after all these years of conflict, controversy, and criticism within our government, in our community, and in the media, these young people finally found a sense of clarity, understanding, and satisfaction because they had the opportunity to ask questions, listen, and learn Governor Torres’s perspectives directly from him. These perspectives were unfiltered from third-party perspectives. Governor Torres was head-of-state for nearly half of their lives, so it was very important for them to find closure at the end of his administration. Since the beginning of the semester, my students have built a foundation of political, economic, and philosophical theory and practice. Before meeting him, they did research into his political career and planned at least ten questions each that they wanted to ask him. Many of my students wrote about how Governor Torres led the Northern Mariana Islands through two natural disasters, a global pandemic, and other struggles. Finally meeting him and learning first-hand about his work and contributions to our Commonwealth was a great relief for the youth because they were able to form a more accurate and open-minded perception of him.
As we entered the House of Representatives, Speaker Edmund Villagomez warmly welcomed us and gave an introduction to the meeting that was taking place. Students were interested to witness our elected officials hard at work amending the Whistleblower Protection Act. Rep. Celina Babauta welcomed us, announcing our visit and informing us of the work that their committee was doing. Rep. Tina Sablan was passionately focused on the task at hand, providing amendments to the Legal Counsel. After some time, Youth Congress Coordinator Luis Castro arrived to escort us to the Senate where there was a meeting in session regarding pensions. Earlier that morning, Senate President Jude Hofschneider welcomed the first group of students to the Senate chamber where he and Senators Vinnie Sablan, Karl King-Nabors, and Justo Quitugua gave an informative talk and answered any questions that the students had. A few of those questions were related to Article XII, the districts of the CNMI, and various aspects of the tourism economy. All students were very engaged and intrigued by their new teachers who they had followed in the news for the past year and more.
After observing the Senate meeting, we made our way back to the House chamber during recess, where we had the opportunity to meet and take photos with Vice Speaker B.J. Attao, Reps. Celina Babauta, Tina Sablan, Donald Manglona, Edwin Propst, Vicente Camacho, and Richard Lizama. Students excitedly hurried to meet Rep. Tina Sablan, whose gubernatorial campaign inspired young people, especially young women, to consider a career in politics. After greeting our representatives and taking photos, we bid farewell and began to board our buses to depart for our school campus.
After meeting with our elected officials, it was apparent that they are all very dedicated and hard-working people who do their best for our Commonwealth. My students and I all feel a sense of gratitude that, despite their differences, they all took time from their busy schedules to educate and inspire our youth. During a class discussion after the field trip, one of my students said, “There are two sides to every story. It’s nice to know Governor Torres’s perspective.” This student was one of two students whom I sent to the Close Up Youth Summit earlier this semester. At this week-long summit, both young women successfully conducted research, drafted, debated, and passed a legislative proposal with the guidance of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tina Sablan. Another student reflected, “The most precious lesson that I learned was to never let anyone stop me from pursuing what I desire. The amount of criticism directed at Governor Torres was a lot; however, he taught us to never give up. With this experience, I was able to become more open-minded about the government.”
In one class discussion, my students brainstormed the top qualities that make good leaders: 1) Open-mindedness to understand others’ perspectives without judgment, 2) Empathy to understand others’ life experiences and to treat them with kindness and respect, and 3) Compassion to show mercy, grace, and charity to others. Furthermore, my students also listed the following traits as hallmarks of a good leader and positive role model for their generation: loving, honest, loyal, understanding, accepting, positive, values equality, friendly, selfless, determined, sets a good example, uplifts the human spirit, and respectful. When I asked my students where they found their role models, many mentioned family, peers, personal connections, and social media. With all that is happening and continues to occur in our Commonwealth, my students have expressed that they are having trouble finding good role models. One student said, “We can find them if we look hard enough.” However, I believe that our youth should not have to look hard to find good role models.
As a mother, teacher, advocate, and citizen, I am writing this editorial from the depths and sincerity of my heart, with the unanimous agreement, support and consent of my students. This is a call for all of us to rise up to be more kind, compassionate, understanding and cooperative. Our youth are observing all that is occurring in our Commonwealth and they long for peace, reconciliation, integrity, understanding, cooperation, compromise, fairness, stability, positivity, and progress. They desire respect, acceptance and inclusion, regardless of one’s political party or past. We need change, but the change is not just about a change of officials who sit in office. While elected officials will always change, our history has shown that this revolving cycle is not the only solution to the repeating cycle of dysfunction. The change we need to make first is within each and every one of our hearts and minds. I truly believe that there is good in everyone and that our world is colored by our perceptions. In order to find the truth, we must keep an open mind and an open heart to rise above clouded judgments.
In closing, I would like to share a personal memory with all of you. I met Governor Torres’s Chief of Staff Wil Castro once at a public event. When he shook my hand, he looked into my eyes for a moment as if to read my soul. At that very moment, he said, “The future of the Marianas lies within your heart.” Since that time, these seemingly prophetic words have had a profound impact on me. I did not understand what he saw in me that prompted him to say this. How could the future of the Marianas lie within my heart? I am only one person. Although time has passed, I never forgot his words. As I grew into the person I am now, I realized the deeper meaning of his words and my potential. Now, it is my turn to pass on these profound words to each and every one of you, dear readers and citizens of the Commonwealth, because you, too, hold the key to our future.
“The future of the Marianas lies within your heart.”
May this message inspire and uplift you to move forward with guinaiya yan hinengge, love and faith, for a better and brighter tomorrow. Uno hit! Sen dangkalu na Si Yu’us Ma’åse yan Ghilissow ngelúgh for reading this editorial with an open mind and heart. Felis Pasgua yan Añu Nuebu!
Kon Respetu yan Guinaiya…
