10 students get Robert C. Byrd scholarships

Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos announced yesterday that 10 CNMI students have been selected to receive Robert C. Byrd Honors scholarships.

Inos said that each scholarship is a four-year scholarship at $1,500 per year or $6,000 total scholarship. She said the number of qualified applicants far exceeded the 10 scholarships that the U.S. Department of Education makes available each year to the PSS.

The Commissioner commended the students for their excellent essays, for their excellent cumulative high school grade point averages, the teachers for their fine recommendation letters and the parents of each of the 10 Robert C. Byrd scholars for all the quality time they have invested in helping their child achieve the academic success that a Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship conveys.

The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholars are:

Oscar A. Ada is the son of Elizabeth DLG Aldan. Oscar graduated from Kagman High School with a 3.86 grade point average on a 4.0 system. Oscar will be attending Hawaii Pacific University starting this fall.

James Edward H. Arriola is the son of Mr. And Mrs. Ned Arriola. James graduated from Northern Marianas Academy with a 4.19 grade point average. James will be attending St. John’s University in Minnesota and plans on a double major in international relations and anthropology.

Aubrey M. Hocog is the daughter of Mr. And Mrs. George Hocog. Aubrey graduated from Rota High School with a 3.78 cumulative grade point average. Aubrey plans on attending the University of Guam and plans to major in political science.

Carla D. Calvo is the daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Carlos Calvo. Carla graduated from Marianas Baptist Academy with a 4.17 grade point average. She plans on attending the University of Washington with a major in economics and business.

Thalia R. Hofschneider is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Freddy Hofschneider. Thalia graduated from Tinian High School with a 3.65 cumulative grade point average. Thalia plans on attending West Los Angeles College and plans on majoring in special education.

Vincent S. Castro is the son of Mr. And Mrs. Gregory Castro. Vincent graduated from Mount Carmel High School with a 4.20 grade point average. Vincent plans on attending the University of Washington with a major in science.

Caitlin M. Hocking is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Hocking. Caitlin graduated from Marianas Baptist Academy with a 3.60 grade point average. Caitlin plans on attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa and plans on majoring in dental hygiene.

Jeffrey Sanchez is the son of Mr. And Mrs. Jose Sanchez. Jeffrey is a graduate of Mount Carmel High School and had a cumulative 4.10 grade point average. Jeffrey plans on attending Ithaca College in New York.

Dean Jesse Palacios is the son of Mr. And Mrs. David Palacios. Dean graduated from Marianas Baptist Academy with a 4.12 grade point average. Dean plans on attending Stanford University and plans to major in engineering.

Frank Lee S. Borja is the son of Mr. And Mrs. Francisco Borja. Frank graduated from Tinian High School with a 4.06 grade point average. Frank plans on attending the University of Guam and plans on majoring in business.

Inos stated that the CNMI needs the expertise that each of these scholars will have acquired when they complete their studies. It is for this reason that the PSS is urging each of these 10 scholars to be diligent in their studies and to come home and share their knowledge and practice the skills they have acquired once they graduate, she added.

Inos commended both these Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholars and their parents for being role models to the community.

The commissioner also encourages this school year’s senior students and their parents to start thinking about scholarship opportunities such as the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship.