A unifying force in the CNMI

Hafa adai CNMI! The continued success of our student musicians at the TBMF in Guam is truly a cause for celebration. On behalf of Saipan Southern HS and our 200+ Manta Band members, including the 50 who will represent us all at the 2012 Olympics in London, we proudly salute our friends at Koblerville Elementary School and Marianas High School. Their gold-award winning, command performance achievements are milestones that add to the CNMI’s growing legacy in the fine arts, highlighting the success of and further need for expansion of arts education in all of our local schools. I want to thank PSS, the BOE, COE Sablan, and our community for their support of school ensembles like the ‘KES Glee’ and the ‘MHS Rhythm & Harmony’ who take great pride in the high quality of their performances.

The donations of time, energy, and money that so many of you have given to young people like those in Glee, or the Manta Band aren’t wasted investments. Every dollar is greatly appreciated. Every dollar given helps our world-class students duplicate their homegrown success abroad! From a purely public relations standpoint, their consistently superior performances give precisely the type of positive exposure we need right now. As I type this letter, five Manta Band alumni are performing for judges and an audience of thousands in New York City at the invitation of Carnegie Hall.

Observers outside of the CNMI are increasingly asking questions like, “What makes these CNMI kids so special?” My answer is “Yes, we have great schools, teachers, and students. But a closer look reveals that what actually sets our students apart from similarly talented young people in other places is often overlooked, especially to those who do not live here.

It is the concept of family.

For all the struggles and controversies that the CNMI has experienced, there remains a bond between those of us who call these islands our home. Within a functional family, what divides is not permitted to become stronger than what unites. And what our musicians are accomplishing right now can rightly be characterized as a unifying force throughout the CNMI!

My point is this: the manner by which a “good” team or musical ensemble develops into a “great” one is not so different from how an effective society functions. In any organization, team (or school band) it is important to stand united regardless of which “instrument” or role you happen to play. Unity is our supreme goal at each rehearsal. Our Manta Band members attempt to draw upon the most noble traits found within the wider community even as we seek to fulfill our own motto, “Un Eskuela, Un Korason”. We stand together as one school, with one heart. Under the leadership of Mr. Tudela, this guiding philosophy has united us just as closely as it did when Mr. Le’au and Mr. Garrison first welcomed students to our campus 10 years ago.

As 50 of our best and brightest students prepare to carry the ‘musical torch’ to the London Summer Games, we thank each of you for igniting it with your well-wishing and generosity. Currently our greatest challenge is not the difficult repertoire, which is getting closer to mastery with each rehearsal. Our challenge is not a lack of desire, willpower, or determination. Quite frankly, we need more financial help! Having already raised more than $100,000, we continue working hard to earn at least $150,000 more. With a great sense of urgency and payment deadlines nearing, I am appealing for your support again.

There has been no lack of generosity in our community. We are blessed to have received an unbelievable outpouring of support, both financial and otherwise from many individuals and corporate donors. I cannot overstate how grateful we are to them, and to those of you will now consider additional ways to help. Thank you for keeping the Olympic Dream alive for the Manta Band.

There are several ways you can assist our Manta Band members:

1. Consider an ETC donation up to a maximium of $5,000. Individuals and businesses may contribute through the ETC program.

2. Purchase a ticket (or two) for the Mega Raffle that PSS has set up to benefit the band. There are many cash awards, with the grand prize winner receiving $5,000 cash. The drawing will be at our gala concert on May 4 in the Hibiscus Hall of the Fiesta Resort. Tickets are $50 each, and include admission to the concert.

3. Sponsor, or co-sponsor our official uniforms. We will be wearing formal (i.e. not cheap) attire as we perform at prestigious venues such as Westminster Abbey, Central London, various Olympic Venues, and Queen Elizabeth’s conference hall. Our gowns and suits are estimated to cost $120 or more per performer, or a total expense of $6,000 for all 50 members.

4. Contribute food, beverages, merchandise or gift-certificates for upcoming band events like the aforementioned Mega-Raffle or for the Manta Band Fundraiser Golf Tournament we are sponsoring on March 31.

5. Come out and play a round of golf with a few friends at Coral Ocean Point on March 31. Tickets for this Peoria-formatted event are just $75!

6. Sponsor a Flame Tree Seedling for $100. With Congressman Kilili’s help, our band students have joined an effort to replace and restore 100 or more of Saipan’s dying Flame Trees with new healthy seedlings that will be cared for in ways that ensure our island continues to enjoy the beauty of these trees.

7. Write a check. For any amount. We appreciate any act of generosity regardless of its size. Please make it payable to Saipan Southern HS (“MB Olympics” in the memo) unless it is an ETC type donation (PSS Treasury).

For more information on any of these ideas, please contact Saipan Southern HS at 664-4000. Mr. Tudela or I would be happy to assist you with additional details. On behalf of all the young musicians representing us in London, please again accept our deepest thanks for any and all contributions to this once-in-a-lifetime endeavor.

Will DeWitt, Instructor
Saipan Southern HS Manta Band