Camacho tops DPL’s 2022 scholarship

The 2022 winners of the scholarship program that’s administered by the Department of Public Lands pose for a souvenir picture. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Kiana Mae Camacho, a sophomore at the Northern Marianas College majoring in Natural Resource Management, has topped this year the scholarship program that is administered through the Department of Public Lands.

The scholarship, which asks applicants to write an essay in response to a land-related question, also saw Crystal Songsong and Jaden Villacrusis taking second and third place, respectively. The essay topic this year was “Should Article 12 be maintained, abolished or amended and why?” Article 12 is the constitutional clause that limits landownership in the CNMI to those of Northern Marianas descent.

In a news release yesterday, it stated that Camacho entered the contest to avail of the funds that will help her pay for her tuition and books.

“This very land holds a history rich in culture and traditions, and is built on the strength of our indigenous people. The land and ocean that make up the CNMI is responsible for our ways of life. We should always honor and protect the roots that we come from, i aire, i hanom, i tano,” said Camacho.

Songsong, an NMC freshman majoring in Business Management, took second place in the competition, while Villacrusis, an NMC sophomore majoring in Natural Resource Management, took third place.

The other scholarship awardees are: Britney Takai, Kristine Deleon Guerrero, Janei Atalig, Angel Santos, Rhe’Ann Tudela, Patrick Santos, Ezra Towai, Lisa Aguon, John Sablan, Anette Santos, Donna Kapileo, Tiffany Forbes, Nakia Reyes, Petra Castro, Morgiana Alepuyo, Caitlin King, Destiny Pangelinan, Mateo Guerrero, Magdalena Santos, Brinae Cruz, Pauline Bondoc, Sherijean Dela Cruz, Ainah Chargualaf, Emirina Chong, Bri’Ana Royal, Ivany Manglona, Juan Ada, Angela Manibusan, Kahulo Pangelinan, Kianna Reyes, Tehani Reyes, Ro’Anna Tudela, Jaedryen Deleon Guerrero, and Tessa Sablan.

“These students are amongst the core of our mission at DPL and what a gratifying feeling to see a direct benefit that will help and support their educational goals,” said Bonnie Royal, director for the Real Estate Division at DPL.

This is DPL’s third year to award eligible students of Northern Marianas descent. Funds for this year’s scholarship program are made possible through public benefit obligations of public land leases: Asia Pacific Hotels, Inc. doing business as Fiesta Resort Hotel, A&M Corp., Bibong Corp. dba Mariana Lighthouse, Kenneth and Connie Coward, D&W Corp., Devi’s Corp., Jicheng Corp., Saipan Palau Evangelical Church, Saipan Portopia Corp. dba Saipan Hyatt Regency, Saipan Stevedore, and contributors Jo Ana Ada and the Bantalon Sugar Dock Inc.

For more information about DPL and the Scholarship Program, call (670) 234- 3751/54 or visit its offices on the second floor of the Joeten Dandan Commercial Building, its Tinian and Rota District Offices, or website: www.dpl.gov.mp. (Saipan Tribune/PR)