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Cruz is new PSS student representative
From left, Education Commissioner Cynthia Deleon Guerrero, teacher representative Paul Miura, Board of Education member Herman Guerrero, Tinian Junior and Senior High School vice principal Martina Diaz, Mary Susan Cruz (mother of Mariah Manuel- Cruz), student representative Mariah Manuel Cruz, BOE chair Marylou Ada, associate commissioner Glen Muna, and PSS federal programs officer Tim Thornburgh pose for a photo after the oath taking of the new student representative. (Bea Cabrera)
Mariah Manuel Cruz is the Public School System’s new student representative on the Board of Education.
Cruz took her oath in front of other board members on Monday at the commissioner’s office on Capital Hill. As a student representative, she is a non-voting board member.
“As student representative, I stand as an advocate and my goals are to achieve and fulfill all the students’ requests,” Cruz said.
Cruz is a 17-year-old incoming senior at Tinian Junior/Senior High School.
According to BOE chair Marylou Ada, the school representative position is rotated in all the islands in the CNMI. This year, it was Tinian’s turn.
“So we wrote a letter to the principal to come up with a list of students who are best qualified to represent the needs of the students and Cruz was the student recommended to us. We then sent the recommendation to the governor and sought his approval,” said Ada.
Cruz is aware of the magnitude of the tasks before her. “I know this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I also know that it’s kind of daunting to do this kind of job but I believe I can do it with the help of the BOE, teacher and students,” Cruz said.
