Chacha, SSHS win in sand-sculpting contest

Talent, creativity, imagination, and teamwork were the tools used in the Build a Castle, Save a Reef event that was held Saturday at the beach side of the Hyatt Regency Saipan.

Students, along with their advisers, gathered to compete for the $300 prize for first place, $200 for second place, and $100 for third place in both the junior high and high school division. “Turtle” trophies were also distributed to the top three winners.

Representatives from Light of the Eve Foundation and Younis Art Studio hosted the event that was intended to raise funds to assist the Department of Environmental Quality, Coastal Resource Management, and Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Taking first place in the junior high division was Team Lancheros, made up of students of Chacha Oceanview Jr. High School. In second place was Saipan International School, while third place went to Rota Jr. High.

Also competing under the junior high division were the students of Saipan Community School, Hopwood Jr. High School, and Whispering Palms School.

In the high school division, first place went to Saipan Southern High School, while second place went to Rota High School, and third, to Grace Christian Academy.

Marianas High School, Tinian High School, and Kagman High School also took part in the event under the high school division.

Saipan Southern High brought together the powerhouse cast of Ellery Cruz, James Tanaka, Daniel Kaipat, and Bengi Piteg that landed them in first place. They were led by Joe Weaver, SSHS art instructor.

According to SSHS vice principal Greg Garrison, the students have taken several art courses available at the school, enabling them to have the talent and creativity to produce fine work. “These are students from the art classes we have. There are some that have taken ceramics and are on their third art program,” said Garrison.

Despite the hot weather, members from each team continued until it was time to put down their shovels, buckets, and tools.

To commend their efforts, Laila Younis-Boyer recognized the team that showed the most spirit during the long hours of sand art work. Whispering Palms received the Spirit Award for the junior high division, while Kagman received the award for the high school division.

“I’m just here to support my team. It does not matter whether we win or lose as long as we have fun,” said Valerie Deleon Guerrero, a student from KHS.

Steve Machell, a master sand sculptor from Australia, was on hand to see if the students learned something from him during the training he conducted for them Friday in preparation for the event. The Friday workshop had sessions on construction, sand/water mixing, carving techniques, and design tips, among others.

“It looks really good. The kids picked up pretty good. Looks to me like there are some fierce competition,” said Machell.

Build a Castle, Save a Reef was sponsored by Joeten Motor Co., At Your Disposal, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Mobil, Verizon, Authority, AON Insurance, MarPac, DFS Galleria, PSS Vocational Education Program, Marianas Visitors Authority, Office of the Governor, Coastal Resources Management, and the Department of Lands and Natural Resource. (Cassie Dlg Fejeran)