Island Snapshots – Dec. 2014

By Jun Dayao

Posted on Dec 02 2014

: ‘START SMART AT NMC’ High school seniors cheer for their schools during an ice breaker event at NMC’s Start Smart seminar. Hundreds of high school seniors from public and private schools attended NMC’s Start Smart last week. The Start Smart seminar was made possible by the College Access Challenge Grant Program. (Contributed Photo)

: 3D PROCLAMATION Gov. Eloy S. Inos and Lt. Gov. Jude U. Hofschneider, seated center, led the proclamation signing designating November as Drunk, Drugged Driving Awareness Month last Nov. 25 at the Governor’s Office on Capital Hill. They were joined by several members of Saipan’s law enforcement agencies. (Mark Rabago)

: ETC DONATION Grace Christian Academy principal Beth Nunez, right, accepts an ETC donation from James Matsumoto, branch manager of Express Financial. GCA wishes to expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Express Financial for this donation.

: STARTING ‘EM YOUNG Team Kids ‘N Ba members pose with Chagi Cup organizer Kumiko Deleon Guerrero, left, after the annual wakeboarding tournament in Susupe. Team Kids ‘N Ba placed second to Team Ossan. (Contributed Photo)

: ESL LEARNERS The Northern Marianas College recently hosted 52 students from Koryo High School in Japan. The students visited NMC to participate in the NMC Community Development Institute’s English Language Development Program. (NMC)

: 40 FOR 40 WINNER: Pacifica Insurance Underwriters’ staff member Samantha Sikayun, right, poses with the company’s 28th 40 for 40 Giveaway winner, Guadalupe Borja-Robinson, left, after the presentation of a certificate toward free insurance. Forty for 40 is a giveaway promotion designed to thank the CNMI and Pacifica’s loyal patrons for 40 years of business—40 winners for a year of free insurance in celebration of 40 years. Only Pacifica policyholders are eligible for this giveaway. Last drawing is slated for Dec. 15. For information about Pacifica’s 40 for 40 giveaway log on to www.pacificains.com/fortyforforty or call 234-6267/7722/7310. Rest assured, CNMI. (Contributed Photo)

: LIGHTING ‘EM UP To add holiday cheer to downtown Garapan for residents and visitors, the Marianas Visitors Authority illuminated palms trees in road medians with Christmas lights on Dec. 12, 2014. The Christmas project was also supported by the Div. of Parks and Recreation and the Commonwealth Utilities Corp, and other Christmas lighting projects throughout downtown were supported by the Carolinian Affairs Office, PDM Promoters, and Team PDI. (Contributed Photo)

: LIGHTING ‘EM UP To add holiday cheer to downtown Garapan for residents and visitors, the Marianas Visitors Authority illuminated palms trees in road medians with Christmas lights on Dec. 12, 2014. The Christmas project was also supported by the Div. of Parks and Recreation and the Commonwealth Utilities Corp, and other Christmas lighting projects throughout downtown were supported by the Carolinian Affairs Office, PDM Promoters, and Team PDI. (Contributed Photo)

: FIRST ISLAND CHRISTMAS Welcome home, boys, to your first island Christmas. Returning from Chandler, Arizona, are the Taitano boys: Ankieton, Cody James, Joaquin Joab and Joel Vincent with parents Jack, Jr. and Nen. Photo shows them surrounding their cousin, Haven Taylor T. Magatas, at the 2014 Labor Day Softball Tournament in Portland, Oregon. (Contributed Photo)

: GIVING HEARTS The Kagman High School Ayuyu Battalion cadets donate over 200 food items for needy families for the Christmas holidays. The KHS JROTC Ayuyu Battalion wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas. From left to right: C/2LT Nathan Santos, C/2LT Anthony Torres, C/MAJ Jerry Borja, C/LTC Paolo Reyes, and C/1LT Kris Butters. (KHS Ayuyu Battalion)

: SPECIAL SERENADE On Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014, DPS and Ports Police personnel paid a visit to Moylan’s Insurance Underwriters, Saipan office. The MIU staff was serenaded in the spirit of the season with a number of wonderful Christmas melodies. Some of the staff even chimed in and sang along with the group. DPS and Ports Police are going around conducting a special serenade in efforts to promote “Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving: Do Not Drive Drunk this Holiday Season.” Their efforts were truly appreciated and enjoyed by the Moylan’s Insurance staff and management. (Contributed Photo)

: TAKING PRIDE This World War II monument at Vicente Sablan Beach in Susupe is one of the many monuments built to honor the American soldiers who died during the invasion of Saipan (June 15 to July 1944). This is a major landing site that should be respected. However, some of those who visit the picnic place leave their trash behind. The toilet facility is filthy and cannot be used. The concrete picnic shelters are in dire need of repairs. We invite tourists to visit our beautiful island and this is what we have to show them. Are we proud of our beaches? Do local people deserve clean picnic areas? (Jack Villagomez)

: D&Q DONATES Max Kretzers with The Salvation Army’s Pastor Wayne Gillespie. (Contributed Photo)

: D&Q DONATES D&Q general manager Max Kretzers pose with Julie Temaungil from Karidat while delivering the items.

Jun Dayao Dayao

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