Tinian students bring out the businessmen in them

Saturday marked a milestone in the education of Tinian’s youth.

As a result of a newly created joint venture between Tinian High School and Northern Marianas College, a new aquacultaure project was launched that will teach the island’s youth how to grow fish, sea food and vegetable products.

Above all, they learn how to do all these things and make money while preserving the quality of Tinian’s fragile island environment.

According to Geoffrey Cabrera, one of Tinian’s many excellent students and the current president of the newly-established Tinian Aquaculture and Hydroponics Authority, the original concrete ponds were built with funds provided by the Tinian Legislative Delegation.

Construction was overseen by Bill Cing, who was then the administrator of the NMC Tinian Campus. Unfortunately, the ponds fell into disuse. This year, NMC gave the Tinian High School the authority to refurbish the ponds and use them for educational purposes.

With the help of Anthony Benavente, the aquaculture specialist for the Northern Marianas College, equipment was made available to get the ponds functional again.

Tinian Mayor Francisco M. Borja provided funds for plumbing supplies, and the students and advisors of the Tinian Aquaculture and Hydroponics Authority kicked in a few dollars of their own to get the project moving.

Through the assistance of David Crisostomo from Guam, TAHA was able to purchase a batch of Talapia fry. These have now been planted into the refurbished Tinian ponds, and are expected to be ready for harvesting this fall.

Representatives from the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino were present to congratulate the students on their entrepreneurial spirit, and to commit to purchase fish as they become mature.

Don Farrell, a teacher at THS and one of the three advisors to TAHA, stated during the opening ceremony that if the ponds are properly managed they will make a profit.

Proceeds from this can be used to further improve the project or support training and post secondary educational opportunities.

Florine Hofschneider, THS principal, stated that there will be a new class at Tinian High School next year to teach the student the economics of agriculture. She said this will help prepare the island’s youths to become productive members of the community.

Winnie Matsomoto, County Director for the 4-H Club of Tinian, provided essential support for the development of TAHA.

She spearheaded the incorporation of TAHA into F-H. Most 4-H Club students on Tinian are elementary or junior high school students. They will now form the pool of talent that will be learning the business of aquaculture and hydroponics along with the high school counterparts.

Mr. Farrell made it clear that the school project is not intended to compete with private enterprises. On the contrary, the goal is to promote the development of private enterprise and provide the community with competent high school graduates who are prepared to be productive members of either the public or the private community.

In all, the Tinian community had a wonderful day, watching their children being active students, and observing the beginning of another new horizon for the island.