Catholic leaders receive recognition

Esteemed figures in the Catholic community were bestowed yesterday with a distinguished legislative recognition for their meaningful contributions to the CNMI community.

Rep. William S. Torres took the lead in bequeathing Mount Carmel School President Margaret C. Dela Cruz with honors, as the first local woman to head the Commonwealth’s century-old and only catholic educational institution.

The House Resolution authored by Mr. Torres also extended acclamation to the Eskuelan San Francisco De Borja of Rota and St. Joseph Catholic School of Tinian for its part in the successful Catholic School Week.

Warm accolades were also offered to Bishop Tomas Camacho and former Congressman Jose C. and his wife, Rita C. Cabrera of Gualo Rai, whose Catholic faith and influence has preserved good, old moral values that the community struggles to keep intact.

In accepting the award, Ms. Dela Cruz said that the contributions and services she has performed in behalf of the CNMI community has always been intended as a labor without a price.

“This is all too much for me. Like everybody else, when I make a contribution, I do it from within, giving and not receiving. For this award, I thank Cong. Torres. He has trained and inspired me to be all that I am now, providing services to our children and families for 23 years,” said Ms. Dela Cruz.

According to the legislative resolution, Ms. Dela Cruz has utilized her life experiences and knowledge base of her ancestry as a source of inspiration in her early scholastic achievements, having obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education with emphasis on Special Education from the University of Guam.

The seasoned educator obtained her masters in Educational Administration and Supervision from the State University of San Jose, California in 1989.

She is currently pursuing her second master of arts degree in Catholic School Administration from the prestigious University of San Francisco, California.

Ms. Dela Cruz began her professional career immediately after college graduation back in 1977, as a teacher under the CNMI Department of Education.

Throughout her professional life, she has held steadfastly to professional code of honor and ethics by maintaining her membership with Phi Delta Kappa International, the National Education Association, the American Association of Secondary School Principals, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and the National Association of Executive Women.