5 students top NMC graduates

The Northern Marianas College will bestow its prestigious Academic Excellence Award this year on five graduating students who posted the highest overall grade point average in their respective degree programs.

NMC president Dr. Sharon Y. Hart confirmed with Saipan Tribune yesterday that there’s a three-way tie for the top honor at the bachelor’s degree level and a two-way tie at the associate degree level.

At the 34th NMC Commencement Rites tomorrow, Raissa Belle Alarca Ferrer, Tatiana A. Babauta, Querlaine Blas will be presented with the Academic Excellence Award in the bachelor’s degree level, while Nicole Ichihara Sablan and Jan Kimberly Tecson Alcantra will get the same honor in the associate degree level.

NMC will be conferring about 160 associate and bachelor’s degrees tomorrow at the Marianas High School Gymnasium beginning at 4:30pm.

The five outstanding graduates shared their plans and visions with Saipan Tribune yesterday.

Ferrer, who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, said she plans “to start teaching in the Public School System. Also, I will further my education to obtain my master’s degree.”

She credits her family, friends, and her significant other for always motivating her to succeed. “They’re always there to support me no matter what.”

Babauta attributed her achievement to what she describes as an “amazing support system”—her family, co-workers at Marianas Visitors Authority, instructors, her mentor at Karidat, and friends who encouraged her to pursue her goals and succeed in school.

Babauta will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Education, Rehabilitation and Human Services emphasis. “I plan to continue working at the Marinas Visitors Authority. My job at MVA gives me an opportunity to make valuable contribution to the community and work alongside great people,” she said.

Blas, also graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Education, Rehabilitation and Human Services emphasis, credits her faith, family, and friends for her latest accomplishment.

“Throughout my years of education I have been motivated by faith in God and the love and support of my friends and family. My parents and grandparents have instilled in us the importance of higher education and prayer is something I hold very dear. Also, my friends have always been there to encourage and guide me whenever I need it. I can only hope to do the same for them and others,” she said. She plans to enter into the workforce after graduation.

Like Babauta, Sablan, who will obtain her associate degree today, plans to continue working at MVA, saying it gives her the opportunity to make valuable contribution to the community and work with great people. 

“The key motivation for me is my amazing support system. My No. 1 support system is my family; their love and support were the greatest motivation. My other support system is my co-workers at MVA, my instructors at NMC, and my friends,” she said.

Equally excited and proud of her achievement is Alcantra, who will graduate with an associate degree in nursing.

“After graduation, my first priority is to review for the NCLEX and hopefully pass it to become a licensed registered nurse. I will work as a graduate nurse first while attaining that goal. Soon after, I hope to continue my studies so that I may be a nurse practitioner or pursue a medical degree,” she shared.

For Alcantara, family and loved ones are her inspiration for everything, especially her parents who have been supporting her through all her endeavors. “I am driven by the knowledge that is required for a medical career and how the ultimate goal in this career is to help those in need of such care in the community,” she added.

Hart said she is very proud of this year’s most outstanding graduates.

“We are extremely proud of our Academic Excellence Award recipients, who have worked tirelessly to earn their excellent grade point averages. We commend Nicole, Jan, Raissa, Tatiana, and Querlaine and all of our graduates of the Class of 2014 for their commitment to their education and their professional growth,” Hart said.