2019 Miss Marianas Shannon Sasamoto: Inspiring positivity

2019 Miss Marianas Shannon Sasamoto prepares to wrap up her reign and pass on her crown this Saturday at the 2021 Miss Marianas Pageant.  Livestreaming will be on www.facebook/stellarmarianas. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

This Saturday, 2019 Miss Marianas Shannon Sasamoto will pass her crown to the next queen after a flurry of local and international activities and events.

The young queen has been quite busy since her crowning in July 2019, becoming one of the most active and inspiring titleholders for the Marianas despite the challenges of a global pandemic.

While she attended many local events and activities, her first major community project was working closely with the NMI Girl Scouts and helping launch the first cookie program on the islands—a program designed to help young girls become leaders and entrepreneurs.

Then she was off to the Miss International pageant in Tokyo, Japan, where she shone on stage, presenting the first locally and personally designed evening gown on the global platform.

“We were most proud to work with her and help her bring her own design to the international stage. She performed beautifully and represented our islands well,” said Stellar Marianas president Michelle Sablan.

Sasamoto used her creativity to sew 200 masks for the “The Guardian Mask Project,” an initiative with Rep. Sheila Babauta, as well as present the first video tutorial series on local art and culture with the assistance of a grant from the NMI Humanities Council.

Sasamoto also hosted the first national costume contest and handed out three creative awards.

With schools suspended, Sasamoto also read books to kids through an online video series: Wings Within, One Voice, and It Feels Good to be Yourself.

She also attended the Ride for Pride, a motorcade organized by Pride Marianas and Pride Marianas Youth.

Soon after, she hosted one session for NMC’s 4-H Camp Maga’lahi, called “Can You Be-Weave It?”  Sharing the art of weaving she learned at home during quarantine, she taught 56 participants ranging from 7-19 years old how to weave a small fish and a rose. She created two weaving videos uploaded on the Stellar Marianas YouTube page, where she weaves a hat and rose.

Hailing from San Roque on Saipan, Sasamoto partnered once again with Babauta and the NMI Humanities Council to create a community garden at the Tanapag Youth Center called “Hope Garden.”

The young queen also took part in the “Hailigi Pole Project,” headed by the Lady Diann Torres Foundation to paint a power pole with her sister across the Cabrera Center.

Shannon also thanked PBS for reaching out to her to be a part of the American Portrait project where she shared the traditions she carries on and raised to believe in. “If you want to view these videos or share your story, visit their website to further represent the CNMI. Our stories deserve to be heard, she pointed out.

Sasamoto was a panelist on a Northern Marianas College webinar focused on the theme “Where do we go from here?” to join in discussions concerning topics that include: Future Outlook; Finding Financial Stability at a time of Crisis; Survivor’s Resources; and Community Opportunities.

She also attended the DVAM Motorcade hosted by @endviolencenmi and Triple J Motors in a show of support against domestic violence.

As part of the NMI Humanities Council grant focused on sharing local culture and literacy, Shannon created videos sharing how to make coconut oil and coconut candy at Triple J’s Surf Rider Hotel.

With the help of an NMI Humanities grant and local artist Momoko Halstead, Sasamoto created the islands’ first native crown, adorned with Spondylus and other shells two crowns. She made two: one for her and the future queen, who is expected to be crowned this Saturday. (PR)