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SVES, GES to use money won to obtain student benches
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Posted on Mar 26 2012
San Vicente Elementary School principal Yvonne Pangelinan received yesterday the $8,000 cash prize her school won after finishing first place in McDonald’s Saipan fundraising campaign for public elementary schools on island.
McDonald’s Saipan owners Marcia and Joe Ayuyu turned over the prize to Pangelinan in a short ceremony yesterday at the restaurant’s Chalan Laulau branch.
Pangelinan told Saipan Tribune that the award will be used to obtain more benches for her students, while a portion may be used for the school’s green energy project and some for other immediate needs of students.
SVES has nearly 600 students. Pangelinan assured that every single penny will be used wisely. She said teachers will be consulted about the priority needs that must be addressed.
SVES garnered 11.475 total points in the final counting on March 17.
Second place went to Garapan Elementary School, which garnered 9.615 points. It was awarded the $2,000 cash prize yesterday. The third place award of $1,000 went to San Antonio Elementary School, which accumulated 8.010 total points. Other participating schools were awarded gift certificates yesterday.
GES principal Paulette Sablan said the $2,000 will also be used to buy student benches for at least four buildings. GES is home to over 800 students this school year.
Also in attendance yesterday were acting education commissioner Glenn Muna and principals of other elementary schools.
This marked McDonald’s Saipan’s first fundraising campaign with PSS, garnering over 53,000 coupons for the event. Because of its success, Joe Ayuyu said his company looks forward to future partnerships with public schools.
“We’re very happy that we were able to assist the public schools get some money for their immediate needs. With the financial condition of the government, any help from the community would be great for our schools,” he said.
Ayuyu said he was also overwhelmed to see a great number of families spending time and sharing meals with their children throughout the campaign period from Feb. 25 to March 17.
McDonald’s Saipan, the island’s leading fast food restaurant, is celebrating 19 years of service this year.
