Takeover Day, essay tilt highlight Youth Month events

The Youth Affairs Office and the Division of Youth Services have teamed up to help celebrate CNMI Youth Month, with several activities highlighting the importance of the youth of the Commonwealth.

DYS, under the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, disclosed yesterday that it is sponsoring an essay contest reflecting on this year’s Youth Summit theme “Step Into Our World” Volume 2 “Can You Hear Us Now?”

The contest is open to all junior high and high school students who must provide an essay with a minimum of 300 and maximum of 500 words. Essays must be typed and double-spaced.

Each participating school will select three top essays to be submitted to the judging committee. Each school has until 4:30pm on Oct. 25 to do so.

Essays must be turned in to the DYS administration office—House No. 1361—located on Capitol Hill.

All submitted essays will be judged for content, focus, clarity, and supporting details.

The top three winners will receive cash prizes as well as public recognition. First place earns $100, second place $75, and third place $50.

Winners of the contest would be announced during the closing of the 3rd Annual Youth Summit on Oct. 29.

Meanwhile, the Youth Affairs Office disclosed that it would be heading a Youth Takeover Day for all juniors and graduating students enrolled in all high schools on Saipan.

The event, originally scheduled to take place this Friday, Oct. 22, has been rescheduled for Nov. 3 from 8am to 3pm. A reception will immediately follow at the Office of the Governor.

According to Special Assistant for Youth Affairs Florence Kirby, the rescheduling of the event comes courtesy of the several typhoons that affected school scheduling, resulting in students taking mid-term exams this week.

Between 150 to 200 students are expected to participate in the event, and will be hosted by government agencies and several private agencies as well.

“We’re all set with the government side. All government departments are going to take part in this, and we have several from the private sector also,” Kirby said during an interview.

Kirby said the annual event serves to expose students to a variety of career opportunities that exist in both the government and private sectors.

“This experience will enhance their career options upon exiting the high school system and entering into meaningful work,” she said in a statement. “Additionally, businesses will have the opportunity to instill good work habits and witness the potential of our future and local workforce.”

With the rescheduling, Kirby said other businesses or agencies may still register for participation, but must do so by this Friday.

For more information on the Takeover Day, contact the Youth Affairs Office at 664-2228/2248. For information on the essay contest, call Vivian Sablan at the DYS Volunteer Program at 664-2584.