MHS junior student on Who’s Who catalog

By Marconi Calindas
Reporter

A junior high school student from Marianas High School has joined the roster of select students for this year’s Who’s Who Among American High School Students, Honoring Tomorrow’s Leaders Today catalog.

Alicia N. Braganza made it to the elite list because of her membership in such prestigious groups as the National Honors Society, National Forensic League, and the Thespian Society of MHS.

Born to Indian parents, Braganza belongs to the upper 5 percent of the entire CNMI high school population, based on grade point average.

The 16-year-old has also been invited to participate in the “Presidential Classroom,” a program that aims to gather “high achieving [high school] students seeking a unique and challenging leadership development experience.”

The program allows high school students to take a glimpse of Washington’s halls of power and the people behind public policy, such as leaders in Congress.

Aside from excelling in academics and showing a lot of leadership potential, Braganza has also shown a flair for acting, landing plum roles in two productions, namely Guys and Dolls, and the recently held West Side Story. Her fellow thespians all agree that Braganza is equally at home in theater as she is in the classroom.

Her accomplishments are also a tribute to her family’s values, dedication and commitment, in spite of the multitude problems that American students confront everyday, according to Parke Davis, chair for National Academic Affairs.

As part of their reward for making it to the list, Braganza, as well as other high school students on the catalog, have been invited to attend the inauguration of President Bush, as part of a six-day program that takes place from Jan. 15 to 21, 2005 in Washington, D. C.

Braganza’s parents are extremely proud of her achievements and are very supportive of whatever she wants to become in the future.

The Who’s Who Among American High School Students list is the 38th annual edition of the book that recognizes high school students’ efforts and academic achievement. The book is now released for subscription.

The catalog has been the most respected student recognition publication and award program in the entire nation. The publication’s selection undergoes stringent process with standards that have been cited by education, parent and teachers associations at the state and national levels.