Previous Story
MTEC begins annual school outreach
»T Galleria donates $3,000-plus
Marianas Tourism Education Council member Catherine Perry quizzes students at Garapan Elementary following the presentation “Tourism is Everybody’s Business” on Oct. 29, 2014. For naming the Hell of the Marianas and XTERRA (Saipan Championship) as two annual signature events of the Marianas Visitors Authority, this student won a Saipan-da backpack. (MVA)
The Marianas Tourism Education Council has begun its annual fall outreach to elementary school students with visits to Garapan Elementary and Kagman Elementary, as T Galleria makes a monetary donation to the cause.
MTEC is taking its message of the importance of tourism to hundreds of students at public elementary schools, with plans to continue outreach to junior and senior high schools in the spring. MTEC’s efforts were bolstered by a $3,042.50 donation from T Galleria this week.
“T Galleria is proud to be a part of the only student organization in the CNMI whose main mission is to educate our youth on the importance of extending the Hafa Adai spirit to our visitors,” said T Galleria president Marian Aldan-Pierce. “A wave, a simple smile goes a long way to making those who visit our islands feel welcome into our home—to do what comes naturally to us islanders. The MTEC officers and teacher volunteers at the schools with MY WAVE clubs must be recognized and commended for a job well done all these years.”
Last year MTEC visited 11 schools, including on Tinian and Rota.
“Garapan Elementary and Kagman Elementary have kicked off our MTEC presentations by graciously opening their doors to us again this year, and we look forward to visiting the rest of the schools over the next few months,” said MTEC chair Vicky Benavente. “Our message is still ‘Tourism is Everybody’s Business,’ and we are encouraging younger students to join the effort by helping to keep the islands clean, being friendly to visitors, and joining their school’s MY WAVE Club for more activities.”
The MTEC presentation covers visitor profiles, how tourism helps the Northern Marianas, jobs in tourism, and how students can help support the industry. (MTEC)
