Tiglao chosen for youth EnviroLeader’s Forum

Mary Grace Tiglao of Marianas High School has been selected as one of the first international participants of the long-running Sir Peter Blake Youth EnviroLeader’s Forum in New Zealand from April 16 to 22, 2016. (Contributed Photo)

Marianas High School senior Mary Grace Tiglao has been selected as one of the first international participants of the long-running Sir Peter Blake Youth EnviroLeader’s Forum in New Zealand from April 16 to 22, 2016.

The forum will take place in Nelson on the South Island, where Tiglao will join 54 other young leaders from around New Zealand and have the opportunity to learn from a number of national science and conservation experts about the major environmental issues facing New Zealand.

“I am very happy and honored to be selected as the first participant from the CNMI,” said Tiglao. “I would like to thank all the organizations and individuals that made this possible, especially Angelo Villagomez of the Pew Foundation and Vicky Benavente. I am excited to visit New Zealand to represent the CNMI, and I look forward to attending and learning from the forum.”

The Sir Peter Blake Trusts is partnering with The Island Voices to bring international young leaders from across the Pacific to attend YELF for the first time this year. Along with the Northern Marianas, travel for young leaders from Australia, Palau, and New Caledonia are being jointly funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the New Zealand Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

“The Trust is excited to be branching out to our Pacific neighbors connecting young environmental leaders of the future,” said Sir Peter Blake Trust CEO Shelley Campbell. “Sir Peter used to say, ‘If we can get young people out experiencing the environment they will learn to love it and if they love it they will want to take care of it.’”

Benavente, chairwoman and Marianas Tourism Education Council, nominated Tiglao to participate in the upcoming forum.

“I first met Mary Grace when she was a high school sophomore, and she competed in the MTEC Essay Contest,” said Benavente. “Since then, Mary Grace has taken on a leadership role in her school, where she can influence her peers on the importance of protecting our environment and inspiring future leaders of the CNMI for a better tomorrow.”

Tiglao is the Battalion Commander of the JROTC Dolphin Battalion and an officer of the National Honor Society. She previously attended Saipan Community School and Mt. Carmel School. Last year, she attended the Junior Statesmen of America at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., with a full scholarship award from the U.S. Department of Interior. She has won several essay contests on island, including the MTEC essay contest in 2013. She also plays the ukulele and piano.

The Island Voices are artists, educators, fishermen, and leaders dedicated to linking traditional values into modern decision making and advocates for clean and healthy oceans and islands. They are advisors to The Pew Charitable Trusts Global Ocean Legacy Campaign.

Sir Peter Blake was one of the world’s best sailors who wanted to raise people’s awareness about need to care for our oceans and marine environments. The Sir Peter Blake Trust exists to continue his legacy to inspire and mobilise the next generation of leaders, adventurers, and environmentalists.

MTEC was formed in 2002 by the Marianas Visitors Authority to heighten the community’s awareness of the importance of tourism to the well-being of the people of the CNMI. MTEC’s primary focus is to foster community understanding and support of the CNMI’s visitor industry and to educate the general public, especially school students, about the value, social benefits, and economic contributions made to the community by the visitor industry. (PR)