Local students to study in US this summer

The Department of the Interior and The Junior Statesmen Foundation announced yesterday the three winners of full scholarship to the 2006 Junior Statesmen Summer School.

The winners of the DOI Scholarship are Oliver Manglona, Rota High School; Kevin Sablan, Mount Carmel High School; and Rellani Bennett Ogumoro, Kagman High School.

The scholarships, funded by the U.S. Interior Department, cover all tuition costs and round trip transportation to the summer school of the students’ choice.

Month-long sessions of the Junior Statesmen Summer School are conducted on prestigious university campuses of Stanford, Northwestern, Princeton, Yale and Georgetown.

Manglona will be attending the Northwestern Summer School Session; Sablan will be attending the Stanford Summer School session, and Ogumoro will be attending the Georgetown II Summer School Session.

Summer school students take college level courses in American Government and Speech, while they develop and polish their leadership skills.

Highlighting each session is a high level speaker program that gives students a chance to meet and question legislators, other elected officials, judges, political campaign consultants, and others in the political arena.

Each night, summer school students debate controversial political issues in a simulation of Congress. Admission to the summer school is competitive. Admission decisions are based on academic achievement, leadership, and interest in politics or government. Applicants submit a copy of their transcript, a three-page personal essay, and an academic recommendation.

Tuition, which covers all academic expenses, housing and meals for the month is $3,875. Transportation to and from the school is not included in the tuition.

Continental Micronesia is offering reduced fares for students attending the summer school, thanks to Katie Black in Promotional Sales.

For the past nine years, the Northern Marianas government has generously allocated funds to pay part or all of the summer school tuition for local students who did not receive an Interior scholarship. Last year, the Saipan Delegation set aside $56,000 to assist students attend the program; Aqua Resort/Ken Corp. donated $50,000; and the Workforce Investment Agency provided $14,700 which covered the full tuition payment for four students.

This year, students from Saipan and Tinian will be seeking tuition assistance from governmental officials on their islands. They hope to persuade governmental leaders that by providing financial assistance to their future leaders, they are ensuring good government for years to come.

For the past 15 years, the U.S. Department of the Interior has offered full tuition and transportation scholarships to the Junior Statesmen Summer School for outstanding high school students in the CNMI, Guam, the Republic of Belau, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa.

For more information about the Junior Statesmen Summer School Program, contact Christi Omengabar at 285-2362. (PR)

NOTE: BOXED AND SHADED, SIDEBAR TO MAIN STORY

JUNIOR STATESMEN

The following are the accepted students from the CNMI as of June 2, 2006, who will participate in the 2006 Junior Statesmen Summer School:

Marianas Baptist Academy
Matthew Cabrera Stanford
Anita Hofschneider Stanford

Marianas High School
Gretchen Smith Georgetown Session II
Roger Govendo Stanford
Ann Rochell Ermitanio Princeton
Megan Calderwood Yale
Maria Agnes Stanford
Keith Gabaldon Stanford
Leiseschangmwar Rangamar Stanford
Charity Aughenbaugh Stanford
Mohammed Nishat Yale
Kelvin Rodeo Stanford

Kagman High School
Rellani Bennett Ogumoro Georgetown Session II
Jonathan Ada Stanford
Nikika Harris Stanford
Alexis Cabrera Stanford

Grace Christian Academy
Jose Mafnas Stanford

Calvary Christian Academy
Andrew Kakuse Stanford

Saipan Southern High School
Madelin Jacob Yale
Jennifer Benavente Yale
Kristal Ann Babauta Yale
Karen Echon Yale
Sorene Maratita Stanford
Edward Sablan Stanford

Mount Carmel School
Kevin Sablan Stanford
Angela Salas Stanford
Soo Ji Ha Stanford
Nicolette Villagomez Stanford
Letitia Cabrera Stanford
Roberto Naraja Stanford
Ryann Nicole Borja Stanford
Min Kyoung Kim Stanford

Saipan International School
Henry Chan Princeton
Caroline Lochabay Yale

Tinian High School
Louvele Borja Princeton
Joseph Hocog Northwestern

Rota High School
Oliver Manglona Northwestern
Bianca Mendiola Yale
Denise Mendiola Yale
Cheyene Songsong Stanford
Leonila Sablan Stanford