135 students graduate from NMC

By CASSIE FEJERAN
Reporter

The Northern Marianas College held a ceremony for its 135-strong graduating class of 2004 last Saturday afternoon at the Marianas High School Gym, honoring three students who showed excellent performance during the entire year.

Laura Saiki and Michelle Rasa both received academic achievement awards, with Saiki finishing an associate degree in Liberal Arts with summa cum laude honors, while Rasa finished bachelor of science in Elementary Education with magna cum laude honors.

Winfred S. Camacho, who graduated with an associate degree in Liberal Arts, was awarded the Student Leadership Award.

Thirteen students graduated with a degree in bachelors of science in Elementary Education; 12 finished associate degrees in Science-Nursing; five finished associate degrees in Criminal Justice; one finished an associate degree in Audio-Video Production; three finished associate degrees in Business Administration–Computer Applications; 12 graduated with associate degrees in Business Administration–Business Management; nine finished with associate degrees in Business Administration-Accounting; one finished an associate degree in Business Administration–International Business; 76 graduated with associate degrees in Liberal Arts.

For the certificates, seven received certificates of completion in Business Management; one received a certificate of achievement in Business Management; one got a certificate of achievement in Sales and Marketing; and 21 received certificates of completion in early Childhood Education.

There were eight graduates in General Educational Development, and there were eight graduates as well in the Adult High School.

Parents and relatives filled the bleachers, while the teachers, staff, and government officials took their seats surrounding the graduates.

The graduation ceremony was keynoted by Department of Public Safety Commissioner Edward C. Camacho, who stressed the importance of balancing a healthy mind and a healthy body. He challenged the graduating class to always strive for the best in whatever they may do in the future.

NMC acting president Antonio V. Deleon Guerrero also extended his appreciation to all the students and fellow instructors and expressed hope for their success in future endeavors.

Dean of Academic Affairs Jack Sablan, Deleon Guerrero and NMC Board of Regents chair Kimberlyn King-Hinds took the lead in conferring the diplomas, certificates and degrees.

The master of ceremonies was Elsie Lynn M. Dela Cruz, while Ace Elameto sang the U.S. and CNMI national anthems. Fr. Patrick Garcia of the diocese of Chalan Kanoa led a prayer at the start of the ceremony.

Other guests at the graduation were Gov. Juan N. Babauta, Rep. Janet Maratita, Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela, former Lt. Gov. Jesus C. Borja, among others.

Rev. Cesar Mangsat of the Saipan Bible Fellowship ended the ceremonies with a prayer.