38 Americorps members complete year of service

Thirty-eight members of the first CNMI Americorps program have completed their year of service, which qualifies them to an Education Award of $2,362.50 each.

The members are part of the Corporation for National and Community Service. They are paid a monthly stipend and upon successful completion of 900 hours of service within a year.

Their Education Award can be used to attend qualified institutions of higher education, training or to repay qualified student loans.

The CNMI AmeriCorps members who received an Education Award include: Danica Acebedo, Vincent Aguon, Jerick Austria, Jennifer Benavente, Joyce Cabrera, Heather Camacho, Rose Camacho, Clint Cepeda, Marjorie Daria, Dyenina Diaz, Jennifer Iriate, Diana Jucutan, Da Yong Ju, Janelle Lizama; Nina Manglona; Oliver Manglona; Jarlene Matagolai; Denise Mendiola.

Other members include: Kayla Mesngon; Jolene Naputi; Christine Pamfilo; Virginia Roque; Rogelio Sabangan; April Sablan; Jasmine Sapong; Tasi Faith Taitano; Caroll Tarkong; Mario Aspacio; Kristal Babauta; Willinamae Borja; Tikla Brown; Henry Chan; Mellany David; Hershel Joseph; Bianca Mendiola; Rachel Pagarao; Daisy Rojo; and Tammy San Nicolas.

In one year, the members and volunteers tutored over 4,800 students and logged over 27,000 hours of tutoring and service learning to the CNMI community.

Student assessment data substantiates the emphasis of improving reading skills of students in grades 1-8 who are reading in the lower quadrant. In some cases, the students tutored improved by as much as two to three grade levels.

The CNMI AmeriCorps program meets two of the Corporation Strategic Initiatives: ensuring a brighter future for all of America’s youth and engaging students in numerous community activities.

According to CNMI/PSS Americorps director Geri Willis, the CNMI members and volunteers “have touched many lives within the CNMI as evidenced by teachers, parents, students and community member testimonials.”

Willis says that as an AmeriCorps member or volunteer, “they have made a lasting impression on the lives of people in the community.”

“There are numerous stories about the impact the AmeriCorps members/volunteers are making within the CNMI on a daily basis that ensures a brighter future for the youth they tutor,” she said.

The CNMI AmeriCorps program recruits students from public and private schools to tutor 1st-8th grade school students throughout Rota, Saipan and Tinian in reading and providing service learning activities for the community.

Each school site now has a designated AmeriCorps area complete with banner and other paraphernalia that have been designed and developed by the members and volunteers.

“They take ownership and pride in their ‘home’. Members and volunteers have stated that they’ve become more self-confident and that their self-esteem has grown,” Willis said.

Individuals who are interested in becoming a member or volunteer for the school year 2008/09, and would like to obtain an application may contact Willis, or CNMI/PSS AmeriCorps administrative assistant Remi Sablan at 237-3294.