Sers Nicholas, Omar new Youth Congress leaders

The newly elected members of the 7th Youth Congress took their oath of office yesterday at the House of Representatives chamber, electing Brien Sers Nicholas Jr. as their speaker and Malcolm A. Omar as vice speaker.

Omar, 17, who took the speakership yesterday on behalf of Nicholas who is currently off-island, said he aims “to revitalize the community youth centers and find funding to support youth activities that will promote a safe youth environment, with commitment, confidence, and pride.”

“It is my sincere hope that this Youth Congress will succeed in finding solutions to the many pressing youth problems. I am committed to being the voice of my peers in this honorable body,” he said.

In a statement, Nicholas, a returning Youth Congress senator, said he looks forward to a fruitful and productive year. He said he is committed to see programs and activities implemented over the past two years carried out.

“We’ll ensure that there is continuity in our commitment to assist and implement programs for our CNMI youth. As their voices in their forum, I am personally endorsing myself to ensure that their concerns and ideas are heard and solutions are imminent,” he said.

Nicholas, 17, and Omar had both served in the 5th Youth Congress.

Gov. Juan N. Babauta, who was present in yesterday’s swearing in, said that, as youth senators, they have “a powerful voice” to bring the concerns of the CNMI youth to the attention of the government.

He said the Youth Congress is an excellent avenue for them to educate themselves on the inner workings of the government.

“As an elected leader, you’d find that ‘serving the people’ is the common denominator that will guide your actions and decisions,” he said.

He said that as leaders, they would need to become good listeners.

“You’ll learn to weigh all sides of an issue and determine what course of action will help the majority of the people, not just a handful. You’ll also learn that your actions are being watched and evaluated all the time, not just when you’re in a meeting or conducting legislative business,” the governor said.

He said public service can be rewarding “when you know you’ve made a difference in the lives of the people you serve.”

In his remarks, House Speaker Benigno Fitial told the young leaders that being in the government is about serving the people.

“Democratic government exists to serve the people, not the other way around. It is also true with our CNMI government,” he said.

He advised the youth leaders to be mindful of the importance of “limited government.”

“Please remember that our resources are precious and scarce, and should not be squandered. We should always live within our means and avoid government waste in order to honor our hardworking taxpayers, whom we are obligated to serve,” Fitial said.

Before administering the oath office, Associate justice Alexandro Castro told the youth leaders “to cherish, nurture, and forever defend these freedoms [religion, expression, assembly, and freedom to petition the government for redress of grievances] from tyranny and oppression.”

Also voted in yesterday’s Youth Congress’ election was Josef Deleon Guerrero of Precinct III as floor leader and Yveth L. Mafnas of Calvary Christian Academy as legislative secretary.

The members of the 7th Youth Congress are Calvin C. Fejeran, Roque C. Indalecio, Roselle D. Calvo for Precinct 1; Marvin S. Tamangided for Precinct 2; Nicholas Jr., Divana M. Dela Cruz, and Deleon Guerrero (19) for Precinct 3; Malcolm A. Omar for Precinct 4; Casey Borja for Precinct 5; and Donald M. Manglona for Precinct 6.

School representatives include Dwayne J. Palacios representing Saipan Southern High School, Alvie O. Sanchez for Kagman High School, Juan DLG Pinaula for Marianas High School, Jadine Hocog for Tinian High School, Martin Q. Quitugua for Rota High School, Mafnas for Calvary Christian Academy, Rika Matsumoto for Grace Christian Academy, Na Young Kim for Marianas Baptist Academy, John P. Del Rosario for Mt. Carmel School, Hannah C. Tessen for Saipan International School, Christopher Lee for Northern Marianas Academy, and Esther Genevieve F. Omar, Ricky Itibus, and Kristine Cruz for Northern Marianas College.

Youth Congress officials are youth representatives in the community whose goal is not only to learn about making policy or being involved in electoral, legislative, and governmental processes, but to go one step further by working to plan, develop, and implement programs that promote real youth progress.