AmeriCorps program in need of more applicants

The CNMI Public School System’s AmeriCorps Program needs more student applicants in order to fulfill its student membership requirement, according to program director Victoria S. Nicholas.

Every year 60 eligible high school students from both public and private high schools are recruited to provide tutoring services in all the public elementary and junior high schools in the CNMI under the program.

“We currently do not have sufficient applicants to fill all 60 slots so we are encouraging all high school students who are 17 years of age or older, a U.S. citizen or citizen of FSM, RMI or Palau or a legal U.S. permanent resident with a minimum GPA of 2.50 to please apply! We are looking for mature, responsible and highly motivated high school students who believe in public service as a means to make a true meaningful difference in his or her community,” Nicholas said.  “For this year, the application deadline is a rolling one. Basically, this means that we will be accepting applications until all 60 student member slots are full.” 

Accepted applicants will begin the program with a Pre-Service Orientation. The three-day mandatory intensive training program will cover the history, importance and leaders of community service in our nation; the roles, responsibilities and duties of being an AmeriCorps member; completing enrollment documents; the alumni experience; basics of tutoring in reading at the elementary and junior high school level; aid and CPR certification.

The program’s main purpose, she said, is to increase reading levels for public school students from Kindergarten through 8th grade who are performing at the bottom quadrant of reading for their grade level.

“The program selects 60 of the highest qualified high school students from both public and private high schools to provide peer-to-peer cross-age tutoring services at all the public and junior high schools in the CNMI. These high school students are known as AmeriCorps Student Members.” 

Members also participate in a myriad of events for the Martin Luther King Day of Service, as well as PSS-wide functions. 

Nicholas noted that members of the program do not only receive the feeling of gratitude and praise of tutoring a struggling student, but also reap the benefits of membership that include obtaining professional on-the-job experience, working toward education award of $2,000, and a monthly stipend of $250. 

Interested students can apply with the program by contacting either Nicholas or the program’s administrative assistant, Elizabeth B. Aguon, at telephone number (670) 237-3293 or via e-mail at victoria.nicholas@cnmipss.org or elizabith.aguon@cnmipss.org

“We also welcome in-person inquiries at our program office located at PSS Central, second floor, north of the Marianas High School campus,” she said.