Previous Story
Students march for family unity
|
Posted on Nov 22 2000
Close to 300 Hopwood Junior High School students, teachers, and staff led yesterday a unity march clamoring for a truce among feuding CNMI families in light of tomorrow’s Thanksgiving celebration.
The parade around the Chalan Kanoa village early morning yesterday was second to the domestic violence march the Hopwood community slated last month.
Participants to the hour-long march also made a stop at the William S. Reyes Elementary School to join hands with fellow public school students in the quest for community oneness.
“We’re calling for a truce between families this Thanksgiving season and the coming year,” said Sam Joyner, Hopwood music teacher.
Hopwood student Dina Palacios said one way to spread Thanksgiving cheers to the community would be to donate goods to charitable institutions for the benefit of underprivileged children and families.
“We should get the families together and encourage unity,” said Ms. Palacios.
For student Mary Lou Gariguez, the march was the youth’s call for feuding families to reunite for the sake of children.
“We’re marching because we care and we’re trying to tell the adults that we want to be united and be happy because Thanksgiving is here and it’s family time,” said the 12-year-old.
Hopwood students believe that if society expects the youth to be more responsible and goal-oriented, adults should also set a similar example.
“If adults always exhibit wrong moves, they shouldn’t blame the kids for doing the same. We learn from them. But the message we want to put out is that we are ready to unite with adults, as well as our fellow youths,” added Ms. Gariguez.
Another student also voiced the same concerns, saying that it is high time that adults learned how to properly treat and get along with children.
“Even the students can teach the parents. . .of what they ought to be teaching children. . .as the children develop their minds for the future,” said Ms. Reyna Tebuteb.
Next month, the group plans to hold another rally this time to encourage youths to fight the use of illegal drugs.
