Pop group members pay tribute to DARE mentor Maratita

By Sgt Ford Ebesugawa
For the Saipan Tribune

Most teachers would not remember their students as they move up from grade to grade and eventually graduate from high school. Some of these students go to college, look for jobs, or some could even become famous celebrities.

This will be one big surprise for the officer who had made a difference to thousands of kids.

In late August, highlighting the ceremony on the big island of Hawaii, are former DARE students Mailani Makainai of Keahiwai, and Marlene Baldueza, and Gissele Tejada of Honolulu pop group, Forte.

The three pop group members will be reunited with their former DARE mentor, officer Edward Maratita Jr., who would be honored and recognized for his achievements made in the state of Hawaii as well as others he had served.

Maratita is from the Northern Marianas Islands and was a former law enforcement officer on Saipan before starting his military tenure with the Air Force, at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu.

Also in attendance during the recognition ceremony will be officer Maratita’s close friends—Paul Tanaka, Sgt. Alan Green, officer Heather Gageby, of the Los Angeles Police Department, and fellow mentors and training cadres.

Makainai said that it would be great to see officer Maratita again. “It’s been four or five years since I last saw him at Saint Patrick’s Middle School. I don’t know if he will remember me, but he should because I was the talkative one. He was a funny teacher and made us laugh a lot in the class. I liked it when he starts doing role model acts and I get to participate,” she said.

Tejada remembers a time when she stepped into the classroom and saw him for the first time.

“I’m like who is this cute officer and where was he hiding all this time. I asked so many questions just so that he could stay longer in class.”

And she agrees with Mailaini, officer Maratita is funny and makes us laugh.

Baldueza, for her part, pointed out a time when officer Maratita picked on her.

“I don’t know is it because I’m pretty [laughs]. He would have me participate on the entire role modeling acts. I liked it though because he made it fun,” she said.

One thing they all agreed on is that what they had learned in DARE made a great difference in their lives. Both groups continue as active participants in community events, giving their time and talents to DARE. They blossomed into mature and professional entertainers.

Maratita, mentor for the Western Regional Training Center, was recognized for his leadership and accomplishments in the substance abuse programs and educators segment courses.

Maratita was certified by the Los Angeles Unified School District in California and is the only certified mentor to coordinate and instruct the educators segment in various training centers.

The Los Angeles Police Department, Carlsbad Police Department, Texas Training Institute and other law enforcement-training department will be utilizing officer Maratita to conduct trainings.

In addition, upon completion of his Air Force training, Maratita will be assisting the United States Air Force Academy, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as well as the Air Force bases in Japan and Hawaii.