12 NMI students get Byrd scholarships

Twelve CNMI students have been selected to receive the Robert C. Byrd Honors scholarships, according to a Public School System statement.

Each scholarship is a four-year scholarship at $1,500 per year or $6,000 total scholarship.

Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos said that the number of qualified applicants far exceeded the 12 scholarships that the U.S. Department of Education makes available each year to the PSS.

Inos commended the students for their excellent essays and their excellent cumulative high school grade point averages, the teachers for their fine recommendation letters and the parents of each of the 12 Robert C. Byrd scholars for quality time they have invested in helping their child achieve the academic success that the scholarship conveys.

The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholars are as follows:

• Theresa Hill Arriola is the daughter of Ned and Kathleen Arriola Theresa is a senior at Northern Marianas Academy. She graduated with a 3.87 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Theresa has been accepted to Brown University, a highly prestigious Ivy League school that accepts only a very small fraction of the applicant students. Theresa plans on studying psychology and returning to the CNMI after graduation from college to serve as a psychologist.

• Marilou Bocatot Gariguez is the daughter of Mariano Gariguez and Loida Bocatot. Marilou graduated from Saipan Southern High School with a 4.34 cumulative grade point average. Marilou plans on attending Michigan State University and will be studying pre-medicine. Marilou plans on returning to Saipan after completing her undergraduate degree at MSU and completing medical school and then opening her own practice in the private sector.

• Roselle Demapan Calvo is the daughter of Carlos A. and Maryann D. Calvo. Roselle graduated from Marianas Baptist Academy with a 4.07 cumulative grade point average. Roselle plans on attending New York University and plans on majoring business management and organizational behavior. After graduation from college Roselle plans to return to Saipan and inject some fresh ideas into island development.

• Ferlene Vidallo Esmundo’s guardian is Letica E. Padua. Ferlene graduated from Saipan Southern High School with a 4.32 cumulative grade point average. Ferlene plans on attending Michigan State University with a major in pre-medicine. Ferlene plans on getting her pre-med degree in pharmacology. She plans on getting a doctorate in pharmacy and then returning to Saipan to work as a pharmacologist at the CHC.

• Wilet Esquerra Reiman is the daughter of Fred and Lolita Reiman. Wilet is graduating from Kagman High School with a cumulative grade point average of 4.178. Wilet plans on attending Hawaii Pacific University and plans on majoring in nursing. Wilet plans on returning to Saipan and serving the community as a nurse.

• Sheila Jack Babauta is the daughter of Diego R. Babauta and Dolorina J. Babauta. Sheila is graduating from Kagman High School with a 4.075 cumulative grade point average. Sheila plans on attending Kapiolani Community College in Hawaii and majoring in business management. Sheila plans on returning to Saipan after graduation from college and serving the community as a counselor, teacher or opening a business that provides job opportunities for the local community.

• Andrea Martina Bordallo Hofschneider is the daughter of Dr. James and Penelope Hofschneider. Andrea graduated from Grace Christian Academy with a 3.987 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Andrea has been accepted at Santa Clara University in California and plans on majoring in business. She plans on returning to the CNMI after graduation from college.

• Christine Rae Catahay Kinsella is the daughter of Raymond S. and Elaine C. Kinsella. Christine graduated from Grace Christian Academy with a cumulative 3.96 grade point average. Christine plans on attending the University of Guam and majoring in pediatric medicine. Christine plans on returning to Saipan after she graduated from college and from medical school and serving the community as a pediatrician.

• Nicole Manglona Torres is the daughter of William S. and Priscilla M. Torres. Nicole graduated from Grace Christian Academy with a 3.946 cumulative grade point average. Nicole plans on attending Saint Mary’s College in California and plans on majoring in English. She plans on returning to Saipan after graduating from college and teaching at one of our high schools.

• Nikika Marii Harris is the daughter of Josie Harris. Nikika is graduating from Kagman High School with a 4.028 cumulative grade point average. Nikika plans on attending Northern Marianas College for her first two years and then completing her education at either Hawaii Pacific University or San Diego State University. Nikika plans on majoring in liberal arts.

• Charlie Ogo Atalig is the son of Vicente M. and Carlene O. Atalig of Rota. Charlie is graduating from Rota High School with a 3.92 cumulative grade point average. Charlie plans on attending the University of Guam and majoring in pre-medicine. Charlie plans on returning to the CNMI after he graduates from college and from medical school and serving the community as an optometrist.

• Daryl B. Dela Cruz is a graduate of Tinian High School with a 3.89 cumulative grade point average. Daryl plans on attending the University of Guam and majoring in social science. Daryl plans on returning to Tinian after he graduates from college and serving as an educator.

Inos said the CNMI needs the expertise that each of these scholars will have acquired when they complete their studies.

“It is for that reason, that the PSS urges each of these 12 scholars to be diligent in their studies and to come home and share your knowledge and practice the skills you have acquired once you graduate,” she said.

Inos commended both these Robert C. Byrd Honors scholars and their parents for being role models for the rest of the Commonwealth to emulate. She also encouraged this school year’s junior students and their parents to start thinking about scholarship opportunities such as the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship. (PR)