Ortizo, Espina win Sengebau poetry competition

Eleventh grade Ryan Ortizo of Mt. Carmel School and 14-year-old Jasmin Espina of Hopwood Junior High School emerged champions in the 6th Annual Sengebau Poetry Competition held Thursday night at the American Memorial Park’s Visitors Center.

Ortizo and Espina, who bested 12 other young poets in their respective divisions, were awarded the competition’s perpetual plaque.

Sponsored by the NMI Council for the Humanities, this year’s entries must adhere to three topics: culture, identity, and change.

Admitting that his participation was a last-minute decision, Ortizo said he was surprised by his win.

“I was pretty shocked because there were so many good contestants here and I was just amazed by their performances. It feels rewarding and humbling as well. It’s really a good feeling,” he told Saipan Tribune.

Ortizo, also the school’s student council president, has been participating in the competition since eighth grade.

He has previously been adjudged top winner in his division twice and receiving this honor for the third time makes the win truly memorable, he said.

Titled Take Me Back Home, Ortizo’s poem tackled the poet’s desire to experience and enjoy the once island paradise of his heart.

[I]Take me back to the land
Of the smiling sun,
A paradise surrounded by
The majesties of wonder
And the marvels of life,
Where beauty is found even
In the tiniest seashell
Or the mighty ironwoods
That stand tall
And watch over our land.[/I]

Ortizo is the eldest son of Myrna and Roy Ortizo. Other winners in the senior division were second place Joseph Kumangai of Kagman High School’s and honorable mentions Tinian High School’s Gorgiana Paulino, Marianas High School’s Diana Quinata, and KHS’ Christian Yamada.

[B]Proud to be me[/B]

Jasmin Espina, 14, said that writing poems has always been among her chief interests even as a kid.

“I love doing it since I was in third grade…and I am always excited whenever there is a competition of this kind,” she told Saipan Tribune.

Espina was adjudged overall winner in the junior division for her delivery of Proud To Be Me.

[I]Be proud of who you are
Don’t be afraid to shine
Don’t be afraid to speak
Don’t be afraid to cry.
The world will only listen to you
If you stand up for yourself.
Tell them what you believe in
Just like our president himself.[/I]

It was Espina’s second time to join the Sengebau poetry contest.

“It’s surprising and I’m really excited!” she said after accepting the award.

The daughter of Maricris Ramos and James Espina, Jasmin vowed to defend the title in next year’s competition.

Other winners in the junior division were second place Delfina Jose Biz of Tinian Jr. High School and honorable mentions Raymelyn Sakisat of Rota Junior High School, and Lucas Nutting and Susanne Park, both of Saipan International School.

[B]Good turnout[/B]

NMI Council for the Humanities program officer Scott Russell noted that despite fewer participants in this year’s event, they were amazed at each poet’s delivery and performance.

Each participant was assessed based on the poem’s content and the author’s recital.

Last year, 22 students joined the poetry competition in the junior and senior divisions.

Russell believes the ongoing accreditation visits in many of the private and public schools were among the factors in the participation being down this year.

The program officer promised to continue to hold the event as it aims to encourage children to write and use poetry at the same time.

“The council is very committed to literacy both in reading and writing. This is one way to do it,” he said.