Costales, Dalusong top Hopwood graduates

Hopwood’s Top 10 awardees gather for a group photo with guests and keynote speakers during their promotion ceremony yesterday on campus. (Moneth G. Deposa)

Two young gentlemen emerged as the most outstanding students of Hopwood Junior High School after being bestowed with high academic honors during yesterday’s promotion ceremony on campus.

John Michael Costales was named the class valedictorian and recipient of this year’s Board of Education Award. He is the son of Jessica and Sammy Costales.

JOHN MICHAEL COSTALES,
Valedictorian,
Board of Education Awardee.

Amelito Dalusong Jr. was named salutatorian and was bestowed with the Commissioner of Education Award. He is the son of Marissa and Amelito Dalusong Sr.

Hopwood promoted yesterday 502 eighth graders to high school with the theme “What take us back to our past are our memories, what guide us to our future are our dreams.”

Academic and leadership awards always come as a big surprise for Hopwood graduates as the honorees are not known in advance.

AMELITO DALUSONG JR.,
Salutatorian, Commissioner’s Award.

For this year’s top students—Costales and Dalusong—there’s no better way to thank their parents than to offer them the fruits of their sacrifices. In their brief remarks, the two dedicated their achievements to their family and shared the honor with fellow graduates for successfully completing middle school.

In his valedictory address, Costales encouraged his peers to continue to persevere to achieve their educational goals. “Aim high! Fly high! Go Hilitias!” said Costales.

In his remarks, salutatorian Amelito Dalusong Jr. shared: “Although I am holding this plaque now, the true essence of achievement will be found in all of us—graduates!”

Eight other students were recognized as recipients of this year’s prestigious Top Ten awards. They included Ryan Christian Relucio, Mei Lin, Miguel Andrei Aninon, Ma. Chrizelle Omotoy, Chloe Hazel Anne Salvosa, Jhon Mendoza, Joyce Anne Nisola, and Isabel Jossie Palacios.

Highest in SAT-10

Education Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan announced yesterday that Hopwood demonstrated anew a remarkable performance this school year, with the school’s eight graders achieving the highest scores in SAT-10.

Also this year, only 1 percent of Hopwood students failed to pass the middle school graduation requirements. The school has over 500 eighth graders this year.

Sablan also asked everyone to take a moment of silence for the late Saipan mayor Donald Flores, whom she described as a constant supporter of Hopwood and PSS.

She also commended the numerous assistance provided by Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP), who was also among the guests of honor yesterday, in finding additional monies for public school needs.

BOE chair Herman T. Guerrero encouraged the graduates to never forget to say “thank you” to their parents and teachers for pushing them to be the best they can be.