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Kagman scholars’ essays to be published into book
The written essays of 21 Kagman High School students that are part of the school’s Million Dollar Scholars Program will be published into a book with all the proceeds going to the fund that would help them achieve their goal of getting a college education.
The book—Reflections of Scholarship and Survival—is a collection of the students’ college essays where they wrote about the everyday challenges they faced and the stories of survival during Typhoon Soudelor’s onslaught on Saipan.
KHS teacher Gerard van Gils said they are looking for partners in the public and private sector that would help their program. He added that half of KHS’ student population lives below the poverty line including 19 of the 21 students in their program.
Corporate sponsors can help either by helping them publish the book or by donating directly to their program.
“By simply buying the book, you have already helped a student from the CNMI go to college. For that, we will thank you for being a community partner,” said van Gils, who is also the adviser of KHS’ Interact Club.
van Gils said their fundraising is for the initial expenses that each student needs when going to college like plane tickets, application fees, climate-appropriate clothes, suitcases, books, and room and board once accepted to college.
van Gils said students can get scholarships, grants, and other student loans but the said funding sources don’t get processed after they begin school.
The Million Dollar Scholars program is a brainchild of KHS staff led by principal Leila Staffler, who saw the need of creating a solution to help their top students get the chance to get a college education. The program also acts as a support group.
Peter Santos, Ana Lieto, Rayannna Aldan, Viron Tenorio, Elizabeth Basa, Nimei George, Sara Kapileo, Fatimah Blake, Cassey Babauta, Jesus Pua, Coreen Ramon, Mikeala San Nicolas, Karen Laoyan, Jessa Camacho, Foysal Sojib, Asako Camacho, Lilly Jean Bautista, Jerry Borja, Josepha Cabrera, and Allison Arellano are members of KHS’ Million Dollar Scholars program.
Donations can be given at the KHS office or through their GoFundMe account. Airline miles or plane tickets are also accepted.
