CNMI second in National Academic finals

Team CNMI captain Harry Noh, center, celebrates with other members of the squad after placing second in the 9th Junior National Academic Championship last Sunday at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center in Virginia. (Contributed Photo)

The CNMI came close to winning the 2016 Junior National Academic Championship after placing second in the tough finals held Sunday (Monday on Saipan) at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center in Virginia.

Wooster Junior High of Cleveland, Ohio ruled the competition by beating Team CNMI—represented by five middle school students of Grace Christian Academy—in their head-to-head finals showdown.

It was the first time for the CNMI and GCA to see action in the ninth edition of the annual academic tournament where 22 other squads also competing. It was also a first for a rookie squad to enter the final round.

Three states were hosting the national finals where each team can choose which phase they will be joining. New Orleans hosted the first phase last May 28 to 30 with Washington, D.C. as the second from June 3 to 5, while Chicago is set on June 11 to 13.

Team captain Hyunjin “Harry” Noh, who was also a member of the CNMI national MathCourt squad, said they cherished competing for the first time in the nationals and making it to the championship round.

“It was a great opportunity to compete at the National level. We did not expect to make it this far. I am so proud of our team for doing such a great job. We thank everyone for their prayers and their support, and God for the wisdom and knowledge He gave us,” said Noh.

GCA vice principal Susan Pajarillaga, who is also one of the two coaches that accompanied the team, is also thankful for the opportunity to represent the CNMI in the national tournament.

“We are proud to represent the CNMI and the school [GCA]. We did not expect to win second place, we are so thankful to God for giving us the victory to Him belong all glory and honor,” added Pajarillaga.

This is the first time that the CNMI got invited to the annual competition in Washington, D.C. with GCA earning the right to represent the Commonwealth after winning the Academic Bowl Challenge against other junior high teams in the CNMI early this year.

Arvin Dayao, Miku Kimura, Elijah Joshua Pajarillaga, and Lanz Jabez Victoria are the other members of the team, while Genesis Prieto is the other coach.

The five students topped GCA’s school-wide exam for the composition of their squad in the Academic Bowl on Saipan.