Rota schools dominate G.U.T.S. contests

The Pacific Regional Training Institute-Drug Abuse Resistance Education program continues with its new pilot program called G.U.T.S. or Get Up and Try Something, by providing various activities and programs for the youths of Guam, the CNMI, and neighboring islands in the region.

December kicked off with the awarding of the 2006 Health and Public Safety Poster Calendar contest. Participants included both public and private schools in Guam and the CNMI.

Schools from Rota took most of the winnings for the CNMI, for a total of eight entries: six from Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja and two from the Rota Grace Christian Academy.

Rota winners are Loreen Lacsina, Ashley Barcinas, Benikina Lizama, Randee Jo Barcinas, Neri Bles Jingco, Angelica Lucero, Trini Lizama, and Maria Lourdes Pobeda.

The winners from Guam are Maureen Unpingco, Jordan Bass, Tricia Sanchez, Shawn Gogue, and Jovanee Quichicho.

The winners received a $25 check and certificate courtesy of the Pacific Regional Training Institute and its sponsors.

In addition, the students and teachers of Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja took part in the Christmas 2005 Holiday Street Dance Competition sponsored by the Rota Mayor’s Office. ESFDB put in four entries, two for the children category (12-Below), one under the youth category (13-17 years), and the adult category (18 & Up).

“Thanks to their school’s great choreographer, Jess Ledesma, all four entries that entered won,” said a statement from D.A.R.E.

The children category took 1st and 3rd place; the Youth category took 2nd place, while the teachers of ESFDB took 1st place in the Adult category.

“These are ways the D.A.R.E.-G.U.T.S. program encourages youths to take part in worthwhile activities. Not only would they be getting prizes but it keeps them busy and at same time have fun. With the limited resources Rota has, the program will have to make do with what it has to offer and improvise by providing alternatives for the youth to enjoy,” the statement said.

The long-awaited Junior NBA/WNBA will soon kick off in Guam and the same students participating in the D.A.R.E.-G.U.T.S program will play with their counterparts in a friendly tournament.

According to Sgt. Edward Maratita, the Junior NBA/WNBA kick off will coincide with the implementation a new program called R.I.S.E.—Responsibility Increases Student Excellence. (PR)