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An and Tabuena lead MHS Class of ’23
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Posted on Jun 01 2023
The Top 10 graduating students of Marianas High School are recognized during the school’s graduation ceremony last Tuesday at the MHS gymnasium. (CHRYSTAL MARINO)
ONE AN
Valedictorian
Hundreds of family and friends packed the Marianas High School gymnasium last Tuesday afternoon for the graduation ceremony of school’s Class of 2023.
After the auditorium filled up, hundreds more packed the school’s cafeteria and many individuals set up their chairs outside the gym in order to greet their loved ones as soon as the convocation was over.
Several of the MHS graduates expressed how grateful they were to be having a full and traditional ceremony, especially after a limited seating at graduations in previous years in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Leading their class of over 365 graduates as they turned the tassels was valedictorian One An and salutatorian Brigit Len Yumul Tabuena.
For the awardees, the Governor’s Leadership award was given to Zenn Ichiro Enriquez Tomokane, who was also cited for being a senator in the 18th CNMI Youth Congress. The Lt. Governor’s Leadership Award went to Mary Grace Pontian Caras. The Saipan Mayor’s Citizenship Award went to Mark Edhron Nimes Alvara. The Outstanding Female Graduate award went to Anastasia Danilovna Shamanaeva, who also placed fifth in her class. The Principal’s Award went to Zhen Yu Dong and the Dolphin Award went to AJ Alik Johnny.
The Top 10 students were An, Tabuena, Amena Zhai Mahmud, Jaehoon Son, Shamanaeva, Sydney Lim, Carson Lin, Angel Ren, Katie Eun-bi Choi, and Yiwen “Wendy” Zha.
BRIGIT LEN YUMUL TABUENA
Salutatorian
The event’s keynote speaker, Kelly Demapan, encouraged the graduates to continue to persevere and that obstacles they face are just another stepping stone in life. “Any and all options in life are valid as long as you want it, as long as you are committed and passionate about it. Live the life that you want and never settle for anything less. …So let’s make the most of this journey. …As you leave here today, remember to honor your past , accept your present, and believe in your future,” she said.
