Alcantara is Hopwood’s top graduate

  Hopwood Junior High School hailed Mikhail Tecson Alcantara as this year’s most outstanding student, presenting him with the prestigious Board of Education Award during the institution’s commencement rites on campus Thursday.

Alcantara is the youngest son of Jerry and Ligaya Tecson Alcantara. A consistent honor since primary grade, Mikhail was also the recipient of other special honors and recognitions for his outstanding performance both in academic and extra-curricular activities.

He was bestowed eight medals that included excellence in leadership for mock trial, excellence in academic achievement, excellence in leadership for student council, gold medal for Junior Thespian Monologue, participation in the Math Olympiad, excellence in Thespians, excellence in leadership for the Youth Advisory Panel, and recognition for exit exam competition.

For subject area awards, Mikhail was hailed best in science, math, language arts, social studies, Math Olympiad, and was gold recipient of the President’s Education Awards program. Alcantara was also presented with a certificate of recognition from the Youth Advisory Panel and cited for his perfect attendance.

He also got two trophies: the Leadership Award and for winning first place in an essay and speech competition. Mikhail was a consistent participant of various competitions-poetry, spelling, math court, mock trial, thespian, academic challenge bee, math Olympiad, geography bee, essay, and SAT 10 Challenge Bowl.

In an interview with Saipan Tribune, Mikhail expressed satisfaction and relief. “I feel great and accomplished. All of my years of hard work finally paid off,” he said.

Top awards for Hopwood graduates always come as a surprise. Mikhail’s valedictory address was an impromptu performance before hundreds of spectators.

Alcantara described junior high as among the best years of his life.

“I learned that there will always be obstacles on the way, but as long as you keep in mind that you have your family and friends to support you and always give a hundred percent, you will succeed in your endeavors. I would describe junior high to be the best two years of my life so far,” he said.

Mikhail is not worried about the challenges he will face in high school. “I know that high school will be harder and there will be more challenges, but with my family to support me with their love and guidance, I will be able to accomplish the same things that I did in my junior high.”

Other awardees

Hopwood hailed Patrick Agustin as this year’s salutatorian, receiving from Dr. Rita A. Sablan the Education Commissioner’s Award.

Students on the Top Ten list included Alcantara, Agustin, Hannah Francine Hofschneider, Masrur S. Alam, Angela Aninon, Rhea Ann Banados, Diana Lopera, Dianne Pablo, Marchie Fernandez, and Annika Matias.

Hopwood promoted 481 students to high school during last week’s promotional ceremony that was also graced by Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos, Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan, Board of Education members, and PSS officials.