Palauan youth group elects new officers

Members of the Palauan Community Association Youth Club elected and swore in its new officers for 2011-2012 at the Laly 4 Chalan Kanoa Beach on Oct. 1.

The new youth officers are Vicente “VJ” Cabrera, president; Tyrone Ilemelong, vice president; Galelynn Martin, secretary; Godiva Asanuma, treasurer; and Mario Brel, human resources officer.

They replaced the PCA youth officers for 2010-2011, namely Richelle Mungwaath, Valyn San Nicolas, Maria Brel Camacho, Noelani Baulechong, and Lorielyn Baulechong.

Composed of about 50 members with ages ranging from 13 to 21, the PCA Youth Club organizes activities for all Palauan youths residing in the CNMI to promote, build, and maintain Palauan culture.

PCA Youth Club envisions the Palauan youth to be self-motivated learners, respected, valued, active, and independent members of the community, and knowledgeable and skilled individuals in the community.

Cabrera, 16, said this is his first time to serve as an officer of the organization. “I hope to bring all the Palauan youth together as one and make it a bigger group to show our pride as Palauans,” said Cabrera.

According to him, one of the biggest challenges for the new officers is the lack of transportation that prevents officers and members from meeting regularly.

The Saipan Southern High School junior said they plan to address this setback by coming up with other means such as helping out those who do not have vehicles and through fundraising activities.

Mungwaath, the 2010-2011 president, said she is very happy that the male members of the organization decided to step up to the plate and accept the responsibilities and challenges as officers.

“I’m very proud of them,” she said. “I hope that they’ll take this because it’s their first time to make it much more effective and to have more Palauans come together not only to learn about culture but also be educated and learn to be adults and learn from each and everyone.”

Bernice B. Ravell, PCA youth coordinator, said the annual election is normally held every September.

“Because of our busy schedule, we decided to hold it in time for the 17th Palau Independence Day,” she said.

PCA, an organization of Palauans living in the CNMI, joined Palauans throughout the world in celebrating the 17th Palau Independence Day with the theme “Kelbael Keruul: Sustainable and Productive Economy.”

Rufino Aguon, PCA president, said it is essential that all Palauans remember that their nation was under the trusteeship agreement with the United Nations before it became independent in 1994.

“It’s important that we celebrate this annually so that the younger generations understand the sacrifices and hardship of our forefathers to attain this independence,” Aguon told Saipan Tribune.

Aguon maintains that through PCA, they are able to instill this value given that most of Saturday’s attendees are young members of the Palauan community in the CNMI.

“I think we’ve done a good job,” said Aguon. “Even with the hard economic times, we’re still able to pull through with the celebration and have our youth involved.”