Tinian school sets up student govt

Students of the Tinian Elementary School cast their votes for the officers of the Student Government Organization on May 31, 2006. This organization replaces the Student Council that was originally organized to provide the students the opportunity to be involved in school functions and activities along with their teachers and the school administrators.

The organization adopted the CNMI government organization setup consisting of the Executive Branch (Governor and Lt. Governor), the Judiciary, and the Legislative Branch composed of a Senate and a House of Representative.

“The members of the executive committee felt that by allowing our students to be officers of this government organization, they will understand better how our government system is set up and how they work together for the people. This way, they will learn how to be better contributing members of our community,” the group said in a statement.

The new elected officers for School Year 2006-2007 are:

Governor Myrese Cruz

Lt. Governor Rikkie Farrell

Court Justice Rudynna Lazaro (representing the 4th graders)
Alonica Anore (representing the 5th graders)
Samantha Wedding (representing the 6th graders)

Senators Pamela Barcinas (4th grader)
Nikkie Quichocho (4th grader)-voted Senate President
Ria Borja (5th grader)
Trent Aldan (5th grader)
Isibel Cabrera (6th grader)
Jean Clyde Dela Cruz (6th grader)

House of Representatives Jessica Aldan (1st grader)
Dylan Fleming (1st grader)
Lou Connie Dela Cruz ( 2nd grader)
Elton Hofschneider (2nd grader)
Sera Ima Sanchez (3rd grader) Voted Speaker of the House
Romana King (3rd grader)

The organization also has an executive committee consisting of advisers of teachers, administrators and students.

In addition, the executive committee created a Criteria, Code of Ethics, and Removal from office for candidates and elected officers to adhere to.

The members of the executive committee said that, by setting criteria for candidates and by creating the Code of Ethic, students would be more conscientious with their everyday activities at Tinian Elementary School. The students will also work hard to maintain their grade point average of 80 percent or better so they may all have the opportunities to be one of the officers.

Of the 300 students from Tinian Elementary School, 128 ballots were cast. Students from 3rd to 5th for this school 2005-2006 were the only students who cast their votes in the election for the offices of Governor, Lt. Governor and the three members of the Court Justice.

The election went well and students were very excited with the whole process.

“It is our hope that our students will take advantage of this opportunity and experience to learn more about how our government works to better serve the people. It is also an incentive for other student to work harder and bring their grades higher to 80 percent or better, and to hopefully cut down with the disciplinary, and unexcused absences and tardy,” said TES principal Julian Hofschneider.