MHS club wins 2 gold, 5 silver in Guam contest

Marianas High School’s Chamorro Club members were victorious in their trip to Guam last Tuesday after bagging most of the major awards in the sixth annual Chamorro language competition.

Organized by the University of Guam, the event saw over a hundred participants from public and private schools in Guam and the CNMI crammed into the University Field House where the competition was held.

MHS sent 15 members of its Chamorro Club and the group bagged seven various awards and recognitions, including two gold medals and five silver awards in different categories.

Saipan Tribune learned that Jowel Naputi was named recipient of the gold medal award in the male singing competition while the group was adjudged top winner in the dramatic cultural interpretation.

Josephine Ada, a member of the group, bagged three silver awards in the female singing category, poetry recitation, and oratorical division.

Ernest Sablan Jr. was also awarded a silver medal in the proficiency category.

The MHS Chamorro Club was this year’s champion in the dramatic cultural interpretation category and was a silver medalist in the song and dance category.

The following were the contest categories: male and female singing, skit, dance, proficiency, poem and speech reading.

Other members of the group were Michael Salas, Atanacio Salas, Augustine Naputi, Jesse Muna, Vince Agulto, Mayumi Nakazato, Desiree Blas, Pearlyn Guanzon, Joycelyn Camacho, Christie Camacho, and Cassandra Ayuyu.

Ada, a sophomore, shared yesterday her memorable and exciting experiences at the competition.

“This is my second year in the Guam competition and it’s always our goal to achieve the best for our school and students. We’re very happy and proud that we went home with all these honors,” she told Tribune.

Ada said the group has been preparing for the event since December.

“All our hard work paid off,” she said.

Last year, Ada was also the recipient of two silver awards for speech reading and poetry reading.

She believes that it’s critical for every student to learn and love the native language as it speaks a lot about culture and the identity of people.

“For me, it’s more than a competition because students are facing each other with the intention and desire to effectively spread the local language. With the new kinds of modern technology around, I believe it’s critical for every student to appreciate and preserve the indigenous languages,” she said, adding that, as a member of the Chamorro Club, it is the duty of each individual to become an ambassador and role model to their peers.

According to Patty Cruz, one of the club’s advisers, they were elated with the students’ achievements.

She said MHS has been participating in the Guam competition in the last six years and has constantly been successful in getting major recognitions.

“We’re very proud of our students and it is one avenue we can encourage them to help spread the word out about the Chamorro language. The event is more than just a competition but a celebration of the kids’ talents,” she said, adding that every year the school noted an increase in the club’s membership and the proficiency they’ve shown in the Chamorro language.