Six students’ illustrations chosen for WWII book

They are young but their talents belie their age. They can write, do illustration, and publish a book. As a crowning achievement, their works will be featured in the soon-to-be-released We Drank our Tears, a book of memories about the World War II Battles of Saipan and Tinian.

The illustrations of young artists Ashley Raine Northen, Donovan I.G. Brennan, Rosie Q. Villagomez, Hermes A. Diaz, Vincent T. Aldan, and Winona Wabol have been chosen among several entries for inclusion in the book.

The book features 74 interviews by students—including the six—of 69 man’amko who narrated their personal experiences during the war.

The students’ book advisor, Katharyn Tuten-Puckett, said the six students’ works were chosen by the 60th anniversary committee of the Battles of Saipan and Tinian based on two criteria: illustration representing different stages/themes of the war, and that students should come from different schools.

“You’ll see here illustrations showing different stages such as the arrival of the American forces, local residents’ settlement, effects of war, etc. I’m so proud of them. Their works are absolutely outstanding,” said Tuten-Puckett.

Ashley, 8, of Whispering Palms, said she drew the arrival of American troops on Saipan as told by her grandmother, Carmen Hamilton. “She said that people at that time were scared, they’re going up to the mountain then Americans came to help them,” she said.

Donnovan, 12, of Hopwood Junior High School, drew a “family heading for a shelter”—a story of his own grandparents looking for a place to stay. “They [great grandparents] were carrying something like this [a sack] with two babies inside to find a shelter,” he said.

Rossie, 9, of Dandan Elementary School, said her grandparents, who used to live in Tanapag, fled to Mt. Tapochao. “When they arrived in an old farm house, they found several people already staying there,” she said.

Hermes Dias, 15, of Marianas High School, illustrated an experience of his dad—a former senator. “He’s climbing a coconut tree to get food when a bomb exploded nearby. He fell from the tree. He’s okay,” said Hermes.

The other two featured illustrations titled “Americans troops relocating civilians” by Vincent Torres Aldan of Mt. Carmel School and the “Effects of War” by Winona Wabol of Hopwood.

The students’ illustrations were also made into greeting cards for the 60th anniversary of the World War II Battles of Saipan and Tinian.

Their artworks are sold at $7.50 per set of seven cards and envelopes at Hamilton Restaurant and in some other shops on the island selling commemorative items.

Tuten-Puckett said the book will be out in August.