10 students complete agricultural program

Ten students from Marianas High School completed the school’s Agricultural Program and were awarded certificates in campus yesterday afternoon.

However, only four students of the Agricultural Program were present during the presentation of certificates. Just the same, MHS principal Cherlyn Cabrera and the program’s instructor Isidoro Cabrera recognized the six students who were absent for their efforts in participating.

The students who completed MHS’ Agricultural Program are Medilda N. David, Kitanah K. Helgen, Shawny Dayna Tkel, Luke James C. Magofna, Shyanna Demapan Shai, Hope Litulumar, Jimmy R. Blancia, Katherine Tanaka McEntee, Doris Ngirchongor, and Joana Balodad Babauta.

Of the 10 students only David, Helgen, Tkel, and Magofna were present during the ceremony to receive their certificates.

Isidoro Cabrera said that at first the program started out with 21 students but decreased to 10.

“Maybe some had transportation problems or can’t make it but I am proud that the students are receiving their certificates. They are each earning a credit for their second semester here at MHS,” he said.

The class started in February of this year and ended yesterday.

The students planted tomato, cucumber, ocra, eggplants, string beans, Chinese cabbage, kangkong [Ipomoea aquatica], corn, and radish.

After the certificates were presented, a ceremonial planting of dragon fruit at the gate that separates MHS and the Public School System’s main office in Susupe was held.

“This is our third year and very excited because it is one of our afterschool programs that we have and partners with agricultural experts like Isidoro Cabrera to teach this class. So we’re really excited,” Cherlyn Cabrera said.

“We’re not just excited about teaching students how to plant or garden, but teaching them planting and gardening as an industry because we have a lot of unused land and unused resources here and the ability to grow things. I think if more people knew that we’d have more agricultural industry and if they knew that I think it would be beneficial,” she added.

Cherlyn Cabrera said that the school provides the funding for the afterschool program. She noted that there are other afterschool programs that MHS students can enjoy such as web design, video productions, arts, performing arts and bands, and tutoring.

“Why we like these afterschool programs is because if students don’t have time to fit in their schedule like the agricultural class they can take it afterschool and learn the valuable skills,” she said.

Tkel, David, and Helgen told Saipan Tribune that they wanted to earn more credits by attending the afterschool program.

“I plan to also do some gardening because Mr. Cabrera [Isidoro] gave us seeds to plant with,” David said.

Helgen said that she wanted to learn and experience more about agriculture and making produce.

Tkel, meanwhile, said she plans to use the knowledge she gained from the program to plant a small garden at home.