The Joeten Daidai Foundation awards eight scholarships

Recipients of the 2019 Joeten-Daidai Foundation’s scholarship grants pose for a picture with officers of the foundation and Joeten Enterprises and sponsors at the Joeten Susupe main office last Tuesday. (MARC A. VENUS)

Eight high school graduates who will soon head to college were awarded scholarship grants by the Joeten Daidai Foundation last Tuesday at the Joeten Susupe main office. A total of $16,000 in scholarship funds were awarded. Each recipient received $2,000 to assist them with college funds.

With an increase in the number of scholarship applicants, the Joeten Daidai Foundation selected eight recipients this year.

Among the eight recipients, five were selected from Saipan, one each from Tinian and Rota, and one slot for a child of an employee of one of Joeten’s subsidiaries or affiliates.

This year’s recipients are Reica Ramirez (Mount Carmel School), Maria Elizabeth Waldo (Marianas High School), Ruth Park (Saipan Southern High School), Angelo Manese (Mount Carmel School), Kelvin Wolf (Marianas High School), Lesley A. Mahilum (Tinian Jr./Sr. High School), and Mariette Barcinas (Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior/Senior High School). Manese received the Joeten affiliate/subsidiary scholarship award; both his parents have worked for Joeten Enterprises for over 20 years.

The messages of former Joeten Daidai Scholarship recipients Shana Mafnas and Brittney Hamilton were read at Tuesday’s presentation of winners. Mafnas told the winners to cherish the memories of high school and appreciate all the support that is given them. Hamilton wrote that the scholars should not be afraid to ask questions and to try new things, as they may benefit from them in the long run.

The new scholars were chosen by the board of directors based on their grade point average, community involvement, extracurricular activities, and academic excellence. Additionally, each student was tasked to write an essay on a quote from Thomas Edison, “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one time.”

Ramirez will be double majoring in Media Studies and Political Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley; Waldo will be majoring in Nursing at the University of Guam; Park will be majoring in Human Biology at the San Diego Mesa College; Manese plans to major in Accounting or Computer Sciences at the University of Guam.

Mahilum’s father was present to receive the award on her behalf, while Wolf and Barcinas were unable to make the event.

Established in 1994, the Joeten Daidai Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Joeten Enterprises and started off as a vision of the late Jose “Joeten” C. Tenorio and his wife Daidai Tenorio to give back to the community. The foundation is supported by Joeten affiliates, business partners, and friends.