Lee and Arriola top NMA Class 2006

Christopher H. Lee topped this year’s Northern Marianas Academy Class 2006, leading 14 other students during Thursday’s Commencement Exercises held at the SandCastle of the Hyatt Regency Saipan.

Lee has made the school prouder after he was accepted to the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton School of Business.

NMA president and founding member Felicidad Ogumoro said during her brief remarks that the Class of 2006 has added another laurel to the school’s reputation due to Lee’s acceptance to one of the best business schools in the US.

Theresa “Isa” Arriola ranked second in this batch of NMA graduates. Arriola, who was a bit emotional during her brief speech, counseled her fellow graduates that they should not forget their mentors and teachers who have helped them all throughout their school years.

Arriola has been accepted to Brown University, one of the Ivy League schools in the United States.

NMA Honorable Mention student was Nicole Michelle S. Babauta who has been admitted to the Hawaii Pacific University. Babauta was also given a moment for a brief speech but quipped about not being prepared so her “speech is not as excellent as the other two.”

Other graduates were: Roxanna Arriola, who is going to the University of Arizona; Michael Jason Aldan Babauta, University of Hawaii in Manoa; Richly Olopai Babauta, University of Hawaii in Manoa; Romnick K. Barnes, University of Hawaii in Manoa; Ana Georlyn Borlas, Manhattanville College NY; Daniel H. Colton, University of Hawaii in Manoa; Jennifer Rose Orpiano, Richmond, The American International University in London; Felix Aldan Rabauliman, Northern Marianas College; Queanna Savanna Camacho Sablan, Northern Marianas College; Aya Sato, Hawaii Pacific University; Hyung Tag Seo, Japan Automotive Deco Design Program; and Adrianne Elizabeth Stump, Fashion Institute of Technology, NY.

Coca-Cola Beverage, (Micronesia) Inc. sales and marketing director Kathryn Barry was the keynote speaker during the graduation ceremony. Joleen Salas and Leah Hocog emceed the event.

The NMA board of directors was also present during the event, including vice president Al Cabael, treasurer and founding member Paz Younis, secretary and parent representative Susan Satur, founding member Carmen Gaskins, parent representative Eric Johnson and community representative Randy Lonsdale.