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Five complete ukulele lessons
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Posted on May 19 2004
Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela yesterday commended five students who successfully finished advanced ukulele lessons during an awards ceremony at Tudela’s office in San Antonio.
“This program is geared toward presenting an opportunity for the youth to experience and learn through extracurricular activities,” said Tudela. “I believe in the youth and this program is one of the ways we can help them learn, keep busy, and away from the streets.”
Tudela provided 10 ukuleles for the lessons. He said the instruments were given to his office by the Council of Arts and Culture through a grant.
The graduates were Ian Benavente, John James Labausa, Kodie Castro, Antonette Labausa, and Johny Aldan. All completed 15 hours of learning advance ukulele playing at the Mayor’s Youth Learning Center in Chalan Kanoa.
“It’s good,” said Castro. ‘It’s an island instrument so it’s fun. I enjoy it and I will continue to try to learn more.”
The lessons were held everyday from May 4 to 17 between 3:30pm and 5pm. Felix Fitial handled the instruction.
Fitial said the students learned various keys of the instrument. He led them during the award ceremony as they played and sang the CNMI National Anthem, “Home on Saipan,” and a birthday song dedicated to Tudela, who celebrated his birthday last Monday.
Tudela said he will continue the program as long as he is mayor.
The mayor said his office will next head the Adult Basic Education program, which is expected to begin this summer. He said the Northern Marianas College has already agreed to provide an instructor for the program.
He invited other youths to visit the youth center. “You can come in and read the paper or books, or draw. The center is free and lessons are free.”
