Previous Story
Jr. statesmen from CNMI fare better
|
Posted on Mar 24 1999
Since the NMI started sending high school students in 1991 to the Junior Statesmen summer school, local “scholars” are bringing pride to the Commonwealth and creating a deep bench for its future leaders.
Visiting program director of the summer school Brynn Blanchard said out of the 300 students who trooped to Georgetown University last year, three came from Saipan and did well.
One was selected to speak during the graduation rites and the other was asked to introduce Defense Secretary William Cohen during his talk with the young statesmen.
“I think it speaks very highly of the students who come from Saipan,” she said in an interview.
Blanchard added Georgetown summer school is the most rigorous and challenging of the statesmen program.
Former participants also narrated their experience during this summer period outside of the Commonwealth.
“It has a great influence in my academic and social skills,” according to Christine Aughenbaugh, who went to Yale and Georgetown universities after she qualified twice in the program.
Recently crowned Miss CNMI International Michele Sablan thanked the program for giving her the network of friends coming from influential families.
She went to Stanford University and met sons and daughters of congressmen and business tycoons.
According to Blanchard, students who qualify for the Junior Statesmen attend one of the four universities: Georgetown, Yale, Stanford and Northwestern. Courses offered include American government, the Constitution and citizenship.
From 1991 to date, the CNMI sent over 100 students to the four universities during summer.
“We are looking for high school students who are good writers and who are good community leaders,” she said.
She met yesterday with Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio who supported this type of program in developing strong candidates for CNMI’s future leadership.
