MCS honors many during Catholic Schools Week 2015

Members of Mount Carmel School’s Class of 1994 gather on stage as they are recognized as the school’s first ever AlumKnight Class of the Year. (Contributed Photo)

During last week’s celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Mount Carmel School honored many individuals who have, in one way or another, embodied the school’s values of faith, excellence, and success, and have fulfilled the school’s mission to “educate the whole person to see with Christ’s eyes.”

ALUMKNIGHT OF THE YEAR
At Saturday’s “Night with the Knights” AlumKnight fundraiser, the school awarded its AlumKnight of the Year to Bank of Guam vice president and CNMI regional manager Merced “Marcie” Tomokane. Upon receiving the award, Tomokane urged everyone gathered to continue supporting the “Save the Stage” campaign to renovate the school’s historic stage and auditorium.

School president Galvin Deleon Guerrero noted the many accomplishments of Tomokane, including over 30 years of experience in banking operation and management, commercial, real estate mortgage and consumer lending, and over 10 years of experience in government finance, budgeting, accounting, investment and treasury. Deleon Guerrero also commended Tomokane’s civic service, saying that in everything Tomokane does, “she always maintains her poise, a positive attitude, and a commitment to serving her community.”

CLASS OF THE YEAR
At the “Night with the Knights” event, the school also announced its first ever Class of the Year award, which this year was given to the school’s graduating Class of 1994. The award recognizes classes that have given back to their alma mater in a substantial manner and that represent the school’s mission and philosophy. In addition to helping with the school’s Save the Stage campaign, the Class of 1994 expanded the school’s playground earlier this school year by donating a slide and monkey bars.

2015 AlumKnight of the Year, Merced “Marcie” Tomokane, fourth from left, with her family at the “Night with the Knights” event. (Contributed Photo)

MCS director of institutional development John Blanco introduced the Class of 1994, recognizing its AlumKnights for their class unity, school spirit, and contributions to the school and the community. Members of the class were on hand to receive the award, clad in commemorative jerseys that they had made for their 20-year reunion last year. After receiving the award, the class announced another contribution to the school: a scholarship program to cover tuition for current and future students at the school.

TEACHER OF THE YEAR
On Tuesday, Jan. 27, the school announced the 2015 Teacher of the Year, 6th grade teacher Frances Taimanao. This is the second time that Taimanao has won the prestigious award.

Deleon Guerrero thanked City Parking and Richard Stein for funding the Teacher of the Year program for the past six years. “Mr. Stein has demonstrated his commitment to Catholic education in general and Mount Carmel School in particular by supporting the heart of what we do, teaching,” he said.

PARENTS OF THE YEAR
At Friday’s Family Night celebration, the school recognized Parents of the Year: James P. Reyes, Joaquin Cepeda, Chiharu Sato, and Evangeline Villar. The school recognized the valuable contributions of parent volunteers like them. Deleon Guerrero shared with parents gathered: “These parents have generously given their time, attention, and commitment to Mount Carmel School. Their acts of volunteerism are necessary for Mount Carmel School to achieve its mission of educating the whole person to see with Christ’s eyes. These contributions of time and energy also help build our school as a community of faith, knowledge, and service.”