KagES promotes 136 students to junior high

Kagman Elementary School bid goodbye to a big class of 2006 as 136 students received their promotion certificates during a ceremony held yesterday morning at the school.

With the auditorium jam-packed with students, faculty, Public School System officials, and family and friends, the graduating fifth grade class were lauded and recognized for their efforts throughout their years as elementary school students.

One by one, the students made the march up to the stage, received congratulatory words from officials, and received their hard-earned certificates.

Before the moment came, though, school officials took the time to recognize individuals who really excelled during their tenure at the school.

Classmates Nicole Pangelinan and Shaynalei Shiro were recipients of the highest awards during the ceremony as the two finished as the top two students of their class.

Pangelinan was all smiles as her name was called as the recipient of the Commissioner’s Award, which was presented to her by associate commissioner for education Dr. David Borja.

“I am very happy to receive this award,” Pangelinan said while addressing the crowd and thanking her parents as well as teachers. “Without their support and encouragement, none of this would be possible. I would also like to thank my teachers for never giving up on my classmates and me.”

Shiro was the proud recipient of the Principal’s Award, which was presented to her by school principal Ignacia Demapan.

“We stand together to celebrate the accomplishments in moving forward,” Shiro said during her address. “We’ve all had our ups and downs. We’ve had our share of winning and losing and we’re still learning from our mistakes. But these lessons are the strongest rocks of our foundation.”

Anzuko Halstead also received recognition and was presented the Terry C. Ada Peace Builder award.

Many students also received subject awards, top five in their home room class awards, presidential awards, and leadership awards.

Others making it to the top 10 are Janet Kaipat, Kiona Mendiola, Fracnes Tomokane, Sohaina Maratita, Baybie Hocog, Christopher Punzalan, Ana Babauta, and Roman Camacho.

Also on hand was 2006 Miss CNMI Universe Shequita Bennett, who provided the students with inspirational words.

“You have taken a big step in your development by completing all the requirements to graduate,” Bennett said. “At the junior high school, you are going to have the responsibility to make the right choices, the responsibility to do the right things, the responsibility to do all the things you must do to have good grades and a bright future. The future is truly bright for all of you and only you can make it even brighter by taking your responsibilities seriously.”